Learn how to {photograph} tonight’s Blood Moon lunar eclipse

The lunar eclipse on 27/28 August can be a a deep partial eclipse, with as much as 96% of the Earth-facing facet of the Moon lined by Earth’s shadow.

From the UK, the primary umbral part begins when the Moon is round 20° above the southwest horizon, however from North America, the umbral part begins a lot earlier, native time.

The weaker penumbral part begins 70 minutes earlier than the umbral phases, however this may be exhausting to see.

The penumbral shadow solely begins to essentially make its presence identified simply previous to the umbral a part of the eclipse. 

Quick ideas

No filters can be required because the Moon slowly slips into Earth’s shadow.

The level of most eclipse happens at 05:13 BST (04:13 UT / 00:13 EDT).

Often throughout a complete lunar eclipse, the Moon doesn’t move centrally by the big umbral shadow, ensuing within the limb nearer to the sting of the shadow showing noticeably brighter.

This can even be the case with this partial. 

As the utmost a part of the eclipse is reached within the UK and Europe, daybreak can be beginning and the sky brightening.

This will result in some fascinating imaging challenges. Here are a number of ideas for photographing the August 2026 lunar eclipse.

Equipment

• Camera
• Tripod
• Telephoto lens/telescope

Decide your plan of assault and persist with it

For the lunar eclipse, picture the penumbral shadow each 10 minutes from 02:00 BST (01:00 UT). That’s 21:00 EDT on August 27.

For the umbral part, determine what to report: uncovered non-eclipse floor plus darkish shadow, or overexposed floor and appropriately uncovered umbral shadow – or each!

Shoot each 5 minutes till moonset.

Plan forward to get your digicam settings proper

Focus precisely on the intense Moon earlier than the eclipse begins, then usually recheck all through.

Start with an ISO round 400, adjusting publicity so the Moon doesn’t overexpose.

Note your settings and resist altering them when the umbral eclipse begins, except you need umbral shadow element.

Prepare to adapt because the eclipse progresses

As the umbra deepens, improve publicity to disclose color and element, even when the penumbral areas overexpose.

If exposures exceed a number of seconds, improve ISO.

Note the settings, so you’ll be able to flip between these and people famous above.

Brightening twilight will have an effect on your outcomes as moonset approaches. 

Share your lunar eclipse photos with us by emailing contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com