Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse Darkens Los Angeles Sky, 96% of Moon in Shadow

A deep partial lunar eclipse covering 96.3% of the Moon’s disk will be visible across Los Angeles tonight, with live online broadcast from Griffith Observatory and onsite viewing from 7:25 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT.

Tonight, Los Angeles will witness a deep partial lunar eclipse as the Moon slides into Earth’s umbral shadow, leaving only a thin crescent of sunlight to illuminate its surface. At the moment of greatest eclipse, 96.3% of the Moon’s disk will be shrouded, creating a copper-red glow that is visible to the naked eye.

The event, part of Saros 138, begins with the penumbral phase at 6:24 p.m. PDT, followed by the umbral bite at 7:34 p.m. PDT. The greatest eclipse occurs at 9:13 p.m. PDT, matching the 4:13 a.m. UTC peak reported by NASA Scientific Visualization Studio. The eclipse will remain in view until the penumbral phase ends at 12:02 a.m. on August 28.

Griffith Observatory will stream the entire sequence online from 7:25 p.m. to 12:05 a.m. PDT and will keep its grounds open for public viewing until 11:00 p.m., offering a rare communal sky-watching experience despite expected traffic and parking constraints.

The Observatory’s live feed starts at 7:25 p.m. PDT, coinciding with the moment the Moon rises on the southeastern horizon. The stream will continue through the end of the penumbral phase at 12:05 a.m., allowing viewers to follow the eclipse from start to finish without leaving home.

For those who prefer a front-row experience, the Griffith Observatory grounds will be open from 7:25 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. PDT. The building closes at 10:00 p.m., but restrooms remain accessible until 11:00 p.m. Visitors should expect large crowds, limited parking, and congested roads, especially because a Greek Theatre show begins at 7:30 p.m. The DASH Observatory/Los Feliz bus from the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station will run until the last bus departs the Observatory at 11:00 p.m.

The eclipse is safe to view with the unaided eye; no special eye protection or telescopes are required. Observers are advised to find an unobstructed view of the southeast sky, avoid large items on the lawn, and bring only modest personal items, as chairs, coolers, and tripods are prohibited.

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through Earth’s umbra, the region where the Sun is completely blocked. In this case, 96.3% of the Moon’s surface will be immersed in the umbra, a figure described as “obscuration” by NASA, which differs from the “magnitude” measure that relates to the Moon’s diameter.

The eclipse’s timeline aligns with local observations: the umbral phase begins at 7:34 p.m. PDT, reaches its deepest point at 9:13 p.m. PDT, and ends at 10:52 p.m. PDT. During the greatest phase, the Moon will appear copper-red as Earth’s atmosphere filters and bends sunlight, a phenomenon similar to a sunset seen from the lunar surface.

This event belongs to Saros 138, a series that repeats every 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours. The previous eclipse in the series occurred on August 16 2008, and the next will take place on September 7 2044. The next total lunar eclipse visible from Los Angeles is scheduled for June 25 2029, offering a future opportunity for a complete immersion of the Moon in Earth’s shadow.

Los Angeles residents get a front-row seat to a rare deep partial eclipse that turns the night sky into a natural light show. The event highlights the city’s unique blend of urban bustle and open-sky access, especially at Griffith Observatory, where community viewing can spark interest in astronomy among diverse audiences.