Partial lunar eclipse over the Netherlands, 28 August 2026

In the early morning of Friday 28 August 2026 a deep partial lunar eclipse is visible from the Netherlands. The Moon enters the Earth’s umbral shadow at 04:34, and at maximum, at 06:14, all but a sliver of the Moon is darkened. The Moon then sets at 06:53, before the eclipse formally ends at 07:53, so the closing phase happens below the Dutch horizon.

With an umbral magnitude of 0.93, this is a deep partial eclipse: not quite total, but close. It is the second eclipse over the Netherlands in the same month, following the partial solar eclipse of 12 August, and the last eclipse visible from the country in 2026.

Why the western horizon decides everything

The catch is altitude. At maximum the Moon sits only about five degrees above the west-southwest horizon, in growing morning twilight. A single row of houses or trees in that direction is enough to hide it. A flat, open view to the west-southwest makes all the difference: the coast, open polder or the IJsselmeer shore are the kind of places that work.

Timings for the Netherlands

• 04:34: the Moon enters the umbral shadow and the partial eclipse begins
• 06:14: maximum, with all but a sliver of the Moon in shadow
• 06:53: moonset, while still partly eclipsed
• 07:53: the umbral phase ends, below the horizon and not visible from the Netherlands

All times are in Central European Summer Time, as computed for the Netherlands by the Dutch astronomy site hemel.waarnemen.com. The NASA eclipse catalogue lists the same event with an umbral magnitude of 0.930 and visibility across Europe.

Common questions

Do I need eye protection?

No. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye.

What time is the best moment?

Maximum is at 06:14, when all but a sliver of the Moon is in shadow. The Moon is then very low in the west-southwest, about five degrees above the horizon.

Where should I watch from?

Anywhere in the Netherlands works in principle, but you need a clear, unobstructed view to the west-southwest. Open, flat locations facing west give the best chance.

Is it a total eclipse?

No. It is a deep partial eclipse with magnitude 0.93: at maximum a thin edge of the Moon stays outside the Earth’s shadow.

When is the next eclipse over the Netherlands?

This is the last eclipse visible from the Netherlands in 2026. It follows the partial solar eclipse of 12 August 2026, which is covered separately.