Bay Area to Witness “Blood Moon” During Partial Lunar Eclipse Thursday
A partial lunar eclipse, which will cause the moon to appear as a "blood moon" due to Earth's shadow obscuring nearly 96% of it, is expected to be visible across the Bay Area on Thursday evening. The eclipse will be…

San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, August 27, 2026 — The Bay Area is set to experience a notable celestial event on Thursday evening as a partial lunar eclipse will be visible, potentially casting the moon in a distinctive “blood moon” hue. This phenomenon occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow upon the lunar surface.
During this particular eclipse, Earth’s shadow is projected to obscure nearly 96% of the moon, a significant portion that contributes to the dramatic visual effect. Observers in the Bay Area can anticipate the eclipse to be in progress as the moon ascends into the sky on Thursday evening. The peak of the eclipse, when the obscuration is at its maximum, is scheduled to occur around 9:13 p.m.
The visibility of this celestial spectacle may be influenced by local weather conditions. Typical cloud cover common to the Bay Area could pose a challenge for skywatchers hoping to get a clear view. However, areas situated further inland may provide more favorable conditions for observation.
Locations such as Livermore and San Jose are mentioned as potentially offering better chances for an unobstructed view. Residents in these inland regions might have a higher likelihood of witnessing the full extent of the partial lunar eclipse and the characteristic “blood moon” appearance due to potentially clearer skies compared to coastal parts of the Bay Area.
Story summarized from the original created by Karina Ioffee on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.
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