Another eclipse is coming to Spain this week: it will be a lunar eclipse, and these are the areas where it will be best seen.

The memory of the excitement , the goosebumps, and the sensations of the total solar eclipse that much of Spain experienced on  August 12th still lingers. After one of the most anticipated astronomical events of recent years, many are wondering when the next eclipse will occur. And the truth is, although there has been talk for months about the famous trio of solar eclipses in 2026, 2027, and 2028, there is another one much closer. Specifically, this  August 28th, a partial lunar eclipse will once again darken the sky and will be visible from Spain.

The event will take place in the early hours of Friday morning. This time, it won’t be the Sun that momentarily disappears from our view, but rather a portion of the Moon that will darken as it passes through the Earth’s shadow . Furthermore, although the phenomenon will be visible throughout Spain, there will be significant differences depending on the location from which it is observed.

WHAT IS A LUNAR ECLIPSE AND HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM A SOLAR ECLIPSE?

But what exactly happens during a lunar eclipse? This phenomenon occurs when the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon , so our planet blocks the sunlight that normally illuminates the satellite and casts its shadow upon it. For this to happen, the Sun, Earth, and Moon must reach a specific alignment.

The main difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse lies precisely in the position of the three celestial bodies . In a solar eclipse, like the one we experienced on August 12, it is the Moon that passes between the Sun and the Earth, partially or completely obscuring the solar disk for those in certain areas of the planet. In a lunar eclipse, the opposite occurs : the Earth is positioned between the Sun and the Moon, and it is the Moon’s shadow that darkens our satellite.

The way we observe them also changes . While proper eye protection is essential for viewing a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be observed directly with the naked eye without any risk. Therefore, special glasses are not necessary, although binoculars or a telescope can help to better appreciate the movement of the shadow.

This time we will witness a partial lunar eclipse. This means that our satellite will not be completely submerged in the darkest part of Earth’s shadow , but only a portion of the lunar disk will be covered. According to data from the National Geographic Institute (IGN) , the eclipse on August 28 will have a magnitude of 0.93, meaning the shadow will reach a significant portion of the Moon.

WHERE TO SEE THE PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE OF AUGUST 28

The partial lunar eclipse of August 28 will be visible from Spain in the early morning hours, although its visibility will vary considerably depending on the location. For reference, in Madrid the partial phase will begin around 4:34 a.m. and reach its maximum around 6:12 a.m. However, the Moon will set around 7:47 a.m., a few minutes before the partial phase ends, which is expected to be around 7:52 a.m.

The best viewing conditions will be in western Spain, the Canary Islands, and Ceuta, where the moon will set after the partial phase has ended. This will allow for a full lunar view. The IGN map shows that much of Galicia, western Castile and León, Extremadura, and western parts of Andalusia will be among the best-positioned areas.

However, in central and eastern Spain, the Balearic Islands, and Melilla , the Moon will set below the horizon before the partial phase ends. This will also be the case in Aragon , where our satellite will still be within the Earth’s umbra and partially eclipsed , thus retaining its characteristic reddish hue when it is very low on the horizon.

The eclipse will not be exclusive to Spain. According to the IGN (National Geographic Institute), it will be visible in some of its phases from western Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. In Spain, it will offer another opportunity to gaze at the sky just 16 days after the total solar eclipse of August 12, although this time special glasses will not be necessary to view it.