Astronomy expert Evgeny Burmistrov has announced that residents in western Russia will be able to observe a rare lunar eclipse on August 28.
Speaking to news agency TASS, Burmistrov, a specialist at Perm National Research Polytechnic University, said the Kaliningrad region will offer the best location in the country to view the sky phenomenon.
Kaliningrad is Russia's westernmost exclave, situated on the Baltic coast between Poland and Lithuania. Burmistrov specified that residents and visitors in the region will only see the Moon setting behind the horizon. Observers there will miss the maximum phase of the eclipse, when Earth's shadow covers 96 percent of the lunar disk.
Viewing conditions across Russia
Viewing conditions will diminish further east across the country. In central Russia, the Moon will set behind the horizon before the eclipse reaches its maximum phase. Further east, the partial phase will not be visible at all in many locations.
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow across the lunar surface. Because Earth's shadow will cover almost the entire lunar disk during this event, the dimming effect will be pronounced where visible.
How to observe the eclipse
Burmistrov explained that the high brightness of the Moon means the event can be watched even amidst urban light pollution. Viewers do not need to travel far out of town, provided they find a spot with clear skies and an unobstructed view of the southern or western horizon, depending on their region.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe for human eyes and require no special protective glasses or filters. Burmistrov advised observers to use binoculars or a small telescope to get a clearer view of surface details and subtle shades of dimming.
Eclipse timings and future events
The eclipse will begin at 04:24 Moscow time and end at 10:02 Moscow time. Moscow time serves as the standard time zone across western Russia, operating at UTC+3.
The best viewing conditions globally will be in North America and South America, where observers will see the event in its entirety. Various phases of the eclipse will also be visible across parts of Europe, Africa, and western Asia.
The next total lunar eclipse will take place on December 31, 2028, coinciding with New Year's Eve. Astronomer Lyudmila Koshman noted that the 2028 total eclipse will be visible across the entire territory of Russia.
