Red Moon: Partial Lunar Eclipse to Light Up French Sky on 28 August 2026
Listen to the story
A new lunar eclipse will take place on 28 August 2026, and it will be visible from France. The eclipse will happen during the night between 27 and 28 August, and people will be able to see it around sunrise.
This event is a partial eclipse, which means only part of the moon passes through Earth's shadow. Unlike a total eclipse, the moon will not be completely dark. Instead, part of it will be covered while the rest stays bright.
During the eclipse, the full moon of August will take on a reddish colour. This kind of reddish full moon is sometimes linked to celestial events like eclipses, and it creates an impressive sight in the sky.
The eclipse will also be visible from the city of Lyon, where people will be able to watch the moon change during the same night. Because the eclipse happens close to sunrise, early risers will have the best chance to see it.
This is a new eclipse that follows other sky events seen earlier in the year. Astronomers and sky-watchers often look forward to these moments because they do not happen very often and can be seen without special equipment.
For anyone hoping to watch the eclipse, the recommended time is just before or during sunrise on 28 August 2026, when the moon will still be visible low in the sky.
Vocabulary7 words
- lunar eclipse
- when Earth's shadow covers part or all of the moon
- sunrise
- the moment the sun appears in the morning
- partial eclipse
- an eclipse where only part of the moon is covered
- shadow
- the dark area made when light is blocked
- celestial
- related to the sky, moon, sun, or stars
- Lyon
- a large city in eastern France
- astronomers
- people who study the stars, moon, and planets
Quiz
Answer key
1. A partial eclipse 2. At sunrise 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A new _____ will take place on 28 August 2026, and it will be visible from France. The eclipse will happen during the night between 27 and 28 August, and people will be able to see it around _____.
This event is a _____ eclipse, which means only part of the moon passes through Earth's _____.
During the eclipse, the full moon of August will take on a reddish colour, creating an impressive _____ sight.
The eclipse will also be visible from the city of _____, where people will be able to watch the moon change during the same night.
_____ and sky-watchers often look forward to these moments because they do not happen very often.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever watched a lunar eclipse? What was it like?
- Why do you think people are interested in watching events in the sky?
- Would you wake up early to see an eclipse? Why or why not?
- What other celestial events would you like to see in your lifetime?