Partial lunar eclipse

In the early morning hours of August 28, 2026, the first phase of a partial lunar eclipse will be visible in Central Europe under clear skies.

The lunar eclipse begins around 3:22 a.m. CEST as the Moon enters the Earth’s penumbra. At 4:34 a.m., the Moon enters the Earth’s umbra and reaches maximum eclipse at 6:13 a.m.: 96.2% of the Moon’s surface will be in shadow. This means the peak of the partial lunar eclipse will occur shortly before moonrise in Central Europe. The Moon sets at 6:17 a.m., while the Sun rises at the same time; therefore, the lunar eclipse can only be observed in this region until shortly after its maximum eclipse. The Moon will not emerge from the umbra until 7:52 a.m. and from the penumbra until 9:04 a.m.—by which time it will have already set in Berlin. At the Zeiss Grand Planetarium and the Archenhold Observatory, interested visitors can learn fascinating background information about this celestial phenomenon during events such as the “Sternstunde” (Star Hour), which takes place nearly every day.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned at the time of the full moon, and the Moon passes completely or partially through the Earth’s shadow. A distinction is made between penumbral, partial, and total eclipses. During a penumbral eclipse, the Moon simply appears dimmer; during a partial eclipse, it is partially in the Earth’s umbra; and during a total eclipse, it is completely in the umbra, but appears copper-red due to the long-wavelength sunlight that is refracted and scattered by the Earth’s atmosphere. The event on August 28 will be a partial lunar eclipse. The next lunar eclipse will be a penumbral lunar eclipse on February 20–21, 2027. The next opportunity to observe a partial lunar eclipse from Europe will not occur again until January 12, 2028.

“A partial lunar eclipse is a fascinating natural spectacle that beautifully reveals the dynamics and beauty of our solar system. Visitors can observe this celestial event for themselves and learn exciting background information about it at our events,” said Tim Florian Horn, Executive Director of the Planetarium Foundation

Berlin.

The Planetarium Berlin Foundation brings together the capital’s astronomical institutions. The Archenhold Observatory and the Wilhelm Foerster Observatory are among Germany’s most historic public observatories, while the Planetarium am Insulaner and the Zeiss Grand Planetarium—Europe’s most modern science theaters—offer relevant and innovative educational programs. Programs such as the radio show “Cosmorama”—nominated for the German Radio Prize—hosted by Executive Director Tim Florian Horn; the children’s podcast “Abgespaced,” nominated for the Grimme Online Award; the podcast “Einschlafen mit Weltall,” which has been streamed millions of times; and the nationwide “Long Night of Astronomy” event are inspiring enthusiasm for the cosmos even beyond the capital’s borders.

At the Zeiss Grand Planetarium and the Archenhold Observatory, interested visitors can learn exciting background information about this celestial phenomenon during events such as the “Sternstunde” (Star Hour), which takes place nearly every day.

• Fri, Aug. 28, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – Archenhold Observatory
• Fri, Aug. 28, 2026, 7:15 p.m. – Zeiss Grand Planetarium

Tickets HERE