New york: Skywatchers across parts of the Americas, Europe, and Africa are eagerly preparing for a celestial event as a deep partial lunar eclipse is set to grace the night sky from Thursday night into early Friday. This astronomical event will see Earth's shadow covering approximately 96% of the Moon's surface.

According to Anadolu Agency, the eclipse will occur between August 27 and 28, depending on the viewer's time zone. The greatest moment of the eclipse is anticipated at around 0412 GMT on August 28, as reported by NASA. This spectacle will be fully visible across much of the Americas, while observers in portions of Europe and Africa will witness parts of the eclipse as the Moon rises or sets.

Unlike a total lunar eclipse, a fraction of the Moon will remain outside Earth's darkest shadow. The eclipsed portion may exhibit a reddish or copper hue due to sunlight passing through Earth's atmosphere, which scatters and refracts the light-a phenomenon often associated with a 'blood moon.'

The entire event will span over five hours from the start of the penumbral phase to its conclusion, though the deep partial phase will be notably shorter. During the peak of the eclipse, about 93% of the Moon's diameter will be engulfed by Earth's umbra, as noted by NASA and various astronomical sources.

This lunar event follows just over two weeks after a total solar eclipse on August 12, visible in parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Solar and lunar eclipses frequently occur in pairs due to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon.

Notably, unlike a solar eclipse, viewing a lunar eclipse does not require special eye protection. For enthusiasts, binoculars or telescopes can enhance the viewing experience, while clear skies and an unobstructed horizon will provide the best conditions for observing this celestial phenomenon.