08/27/2026
Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse Tonight Over Chequamegon Bay
If you have been waiting for a reason to be out on the water after dark, this is it. Tonight the Full Sturgeon Moon slides almost all the way into Earth's shadow. About 96 percent of the Moon's face goes dark, so close to total that it will glow deep orange with just a thin silver sliver left along one edge. It is the best lunar eclipse anywhere on Earth until New Year's Eve 2028.
Here is your timeline, all times Central:
8:24 pm Penumbral shading begins. Subtle, easy to miss.
9:34 pm The real show starts. Earth's dark shadow begins taking a bite out of the Moon.
11:13 pm Maximum eclipse. Copper, rust, blood red.
12:52 am Partial phase ends.
2:02 am All over.
The Moon comes up in the east right around sunset, so by the time things get interesting it will be well up over the bay with hours to spare.
No glasses, no telescope, no filters needed. Unlike a solar eclipse this one is completely safe to look at with your own two eyes. Binoculars will bring out the color if you have a pair.
Now, where to watch. Chequamegon Bay is the answer. The stretch of shoreline out past Bono Creek toward the sea caves is some of the calmest water in the region, tucked in and protected in a way the big lake never is. On a still August night that water goes to glass, and you get the eclipse twice, once in the sky and once upside down in the bay. Bring a chair, bring bug spray, bring somebody you like.
Check the sky before you commit. All the timing in the world does not help you through a cloud deck.
If you get a good photo, send it our way. We will share the best ones.
