Partial lunar eclipse covers 93% of the moon across the Netherlands and Belgium

Morning alignment casts Earth's shadow across the moon

In the early morning hours of 28 August 2026, observers across the Netherlands and Belgium witnessed a partial lunar eclipse as the Earth positioned itself directly between the sun and the moon. The astronomical alignment began around 03:23 when the moon entered the outer edges of Earth's shadow. The event reached its peak between 06:12 and 06:14, with Earth's umbra covering between 93% and 93.5% of the lunar surface. At maximum coverage, the moon was positioned just 6 degrees above the western horizon. Observers recorded images showing the darkened lunar body taking on a distinct orange hue, with only a small sliver on the right side remaining illuminated by the sun before the moon set roughly 30 minutes later at around 06:44.

Cloud cover limits visibility across western Europe

Weather conditions created significant hurdles for observers across the region, with thick cloud cover obscuring skies over most of the Netherlands and Belgium. According to meteorological service Weeronline, viewing conditions were most favorable in the west and southwest of the Netherlands, where the sky was clear enough to track the event. In most other areas, stargazers depended on brief, intermittent openings between moving cloud banks. Public observatory Volkssterrenwacht Mira in Belgium noted that visitors who endured the overcast morning were ultimately able to view the eclipse through the broken clouds. Unlike solar eclipses, observing a lunar eclipse poses no danger to eyesight and requires no specialized eclipse glasses.

Volkssterrenwacht Mira described the patience required from spectators before the cloud layer broke.

Getting up early and waiting a long time because of the clouds. But our patience, and especially that of our visitors, was ultimately rewarded with a wonderful view of the eclipsed moon.

Astronomical mechanics and eclipse cycles

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly into alignment between the sun and the moon, preventing direct sunlight from reflecting off the lunar surface. Omroep West meteorologist Reinout van den Born explained that an observer standing on the moon during the event would see a partial solar eclipse caused by Earth blocking the sun. Van den Born noted that while cloud gaps were infrequent, lunar eclipses occur far more frequently in a given location than solar eclipses, making missed viewings less critical for astronomy enthusiasts. He mentioned having seen numerous partial and total lunar eclipses throughout his life.

Reinout van den Born outlined why missing a lunar eclipse is less disappointing than missing a solar one.

The good thing is that it happens more often than a solar eclipse. We often have to wait years for those, which is fortunately not the case with lunar eclipses.

Timeline of recent and future eclipse events

The 28 August eclipse followed two weeks after a partial solar eclipse, during which approximately 88% of the sun was obscured behind the moon. That earlier solar event also produced widespread photographic documentation across the Low Countries. Prior to the 28 August partial eclipse, the last total lunar eclipse took place on 7 September 2025. Skywatchers in the region will have to wait until 31 December 2028 for the next total lunar eclipse, when the entire lunar disk will once again be submerged within Earth's central shadow.