After the historic total solar eclipse of August 12, the astronomical calendar of 2026 still holds another great event for Spain. In the early morning of Friday, August 28, a partial lunar eclipse will take place visible from all over the country, although the conditions will change depending on the location.
The phenomenon will reach its maximum around 6:12 AM, when a very high part of the lunar disk will be within the Earth's shadow.
When is the lunar eclipse of August 28, 2026
The lunar eclipse of August 28, 2026 will take place during the last hours of the night and the first hours of the morning. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) confirms that it will be a partial lunar eclipse and that it can be observed from all of Spain without the need for any special instrument.
The partial phase will begin around 4:33 AM, while the maximum of the eclipse will occur at 6:12 AM, in peninsular time. At that time, the Moon will be most deeply immersed in the Earth's shadow. The specific times of visible ending will change depending on the locality because the Moon will be approaching the horizon.
It will not be a total eclipse, but it will be very close. The IGN establishes a magnitude of 0.93, while Time and Date's calculations estimate that approximately 96.2% of the apparent diameter of the Moon will be covered by the Earth's umbra at the maximum. Therefore, it will be a particularly deep partial eclipse.
Where the lunar eclipse can be seen in Spain
One of the great advantages of the upcoming eclipse is that it will be visible from all of Spain. There will not be a narrow band of totality as occurred with the solar eclipse of August 12. The IGN confirms that the partial phase can be observed from any point in Spanish territory before the Moon sets.
The differences will appear at the end of the phenomenon. In the center and east of the Peninsula, Balearic Islands, and Melilla, the Moon will set before the partial phase ends. In the rest of the Peninsula, Canary Islands and Ceuta, the lunar sunset will occur after that phase has concluded.
For example, in Madrid, the Moon will set at approximately 7:46 AM, before the partial phase ends at 7:51. In Barcelona, the eclipse can be followed until approximately 7:20 AM, when the Moon is already near the horizon. Therefore, to observe the last moments, it will be especially important to have a clear west-southwest horizon.
Why the Moon can acquire a reddish tone during the eclipse
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is positioned between the sun and the Moon and our satellite passes through the shadow cast by the planet. Unlike what happens during a solar eclipse, the Moon does not necessarily disappear completely when it enters the Earth's shadow.
The explanation lies in the atmosphere. Part of the sunlight passes through the outer layers of the Earth's atmosphere before reaching the Moon. The shorter wavelengths scatter more easily, while a greater proportion of reddish light manages to pass through and refract towards our satellite. It is the same physical phenomenon that contributes to the red and orange tones of sunrises and sunsets.
In this case, an important clarification must be made: the eclipse on August 28 will be partial and not a total "blood moon". However, since it is an extremely deep eclipse, with practically the entire lunar disk entering the umbra, the eclipsed area may acquire dark, coppery, or reddish hues. The final appearance will also depend on the conditions of the Earth's atmosphere.
What time will the lunar eclipse be in Madrid, Barcelona, and other cities
The central moment will be practically the same for all of Spain: around 6:12 AM on Friday, August 28. What changes considerably depending on the city is how long the eclipse can still be observed before the Moon disappears below the horizon.
In the western peninsula, the conditions will be more favorable to follow the last stages. In Ponferrada, for example, the phenomenon can be observed for more than four hours and the partial phase will end before the lunar sunset. In Madrid, on the other hand, the Moon will disappear approximately five minutes before that phase ends.
In the Balearic Islands, the situation will be even more limited during the final stretch. In Palma, the Moon will set around 7:21 AM, half an hour before the partial phase globally ends. This will not prevent witnessing the most important moment, as the maximum at 6:12 AM will indeed be visible.
| Phase | Approximate time in mainland Spain |
|---|---|
| Start of the partial phase | 4:33 AM |
| Maximum of the eclipse | 6:12 AM |
| End of the partial phase | 7:51 AM* |
| *In numerous areas of central and eastern mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, and Melilla, the Moon will set before the partial phase ends. | |
How to see the lunar eclipse on August 28
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be observed directly with the naked eye without risk to the eyes. No eclipse glasses, solar filters, or any other protective elements are needed. The IGN itself expressly states that its observation poses no danger and does not require special instrumentation.
It is also not necessary to have a telescope. Binoculars can allow for a better appreciation of the changes on the lunar surface, but the phenomenon will be perfectly perceptible to the naked eye as long as the weather conditions permit.
The choice of location will be especially important during the final part. As the Moon descends towards the horizon, it will be advisable to look for a space with good visibility towards the west and southwest, without buildings, trees, or mountains blocking the view. On this occasion, moreover, completely distancing oneself from light pollution will not be as essential as for observing a meteor shower.
The second eclipse visible in Spain in just 16 days
The phenomenon will arrive just 16 days after the total solar eclipse of August 12, which made Spain one of the privileged places on the planet to observe one of the main astronomical events of the year.
The eclipse on August 28 will be completely different. Instead of the Moon being positioned between the Earth and the sun, it will be our planet that places itself between the sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the satellite.
The IGN officially includes both phenomena among the eclipses visible from Spain in 2026: the total solar eclipse of August 12 and the partial lunar eclipse on the 28th. Spain will thus look to the sky again before the end of the month, this time during the early morning and without the need to use eye protection.