A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Calgary tonight, and it’s going to be pretty hard to miss. Most of the Moon will move into the Earth’s shadow, with nearly 93 per cent covered at the peak of the eclipse. The Moon may also appear a reddish-orange colour as the eclipse reaches its maximum. And you don’t need a telescope or any special equipment to see either, so if the skies are clear, all you have to do is look up!
Now let’s take a look at everything you need to know about tonight’s lunar eclipse and how to see it.
Everything you need to know about tonight’s partial lunar eclipse
When can I see the partial lunar eclipse in Calgary?
According to NASA, the eclipse will be visible tonight, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, with the Moon rising in Calgary at around 8:32 p.m. The partial eclipse will begin shortly after at 8:30 p.m., so you can start watching as the Earth’s shadow slowly moves across the Moon.
The main event will happen at 10:12 p.m., when the eclipse reaches its peak and nearly 93 per cent of the Moon will be covered. The eclipse will continue until 11:51 p.m., and will be followed by a less noticeable penumbral phase until 1:01 a.m.
What will the Moon look like?
As Earth’s shadow moves across the Moon, you’ll see part of it become noticeably darker. At the peak, almost the entire Moon will be inside the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow.
The covered portion can also take on a reddish-orange colour, while the small part of the Moon outside the shadow remains brighter. This red colour comes from sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon. Earth’s atmosphere filters out much of the blue light and allows more red and orange light to reach the lunar surface.
What happens if the sky is cloudy?
Unfortunately, clouds can block your view of the Moon. And while the eclipse itself will happen no matter what, you’ll still need a clear enough patch of sky to see it from Calgary.
According to the Weather Network, Calgary is expected to have mainly sunny skies through the evening, with conditions becoming clear around 9 p.m. and staying clear through 10:12 p.m. peak. There’s only a 10 per cent chance of precipitation around 10 p.m., so the forecast looks pretty favourable for eclipse viewing.
Where is the best place in Calgary to watch it?
You don’t need to leave Calgary to see the eclipse, but where you watch from can make a big difference. The Moon will rise around 8:30 p.m., and the partial eclipse begins just 10 minutes later. At that point, the Moon will be extremely low on the horizon, so a spot with an open view will be your best bet. By the 10:12 p.m. peak, it will still only be about 15 degrees above the southeastern horizon.
A few Calgary spots worth considering:
- Scotman’s Hill
- Located in the community of Ramsay, Scotsman’s Hill is one of Calgary’s best-known elevated viewpoints. Its higher position helps for this eclipse because it will be so close to the horizon when it first becomes visible.
- Where: 1901 Salisbury St. SE, Calgary, Alta.
- Located in the community of Ramsay, Scotsman’s Hill is one of Calgary’s best-known elevated viewpoints. Its higher position helps for this eclipse because it will be so close to the horizon when it first becomes visible.
- Nose Hill Park
- If you’re in northwest Calgary, Nose Hill Park is an easy option for watching the eclipse without heading far. The park’s rolling hills give you different vantage points to choose from, and there are plenty of benches, open grassy areas and parking lots nearby where you can settle in and watch it all unfold.
- Where: 6465 14th St. NW, Calgary, Alta
- If you’re in northwest Calgary, Nose Hill Park is an easy option for watching the eclipse without heading far. The park’s rolling hills give you different vantage points to choose from, and there are plenty of benches, open grassy areas and parking lots nearby where you can settle in and watch it all unfold.
- Tom Campbell’s Hill
- Near Bridgeland and the Calgary Zoo, Tom Campbell’s Hill sits above the Bow River and offers an open hilltop with views of the city skyline. You can follow the ridge trail to different viewpoints around the park, and benches along the way if you want to stop and watch from the top.
- Where: 25 St. George’s Dr. NE, Calgary, Alta.
- Near Bridgeland and the Calgary Zoo, Tom Campbell’s Hill sits above the Bow River and offers an open hilltop with views of the city skyline. You can follow the ridge trail to different viewpoints around the park, and benches along the way if you want to stop and watch from the top.
- McHugh Bluff
- McHugh Bluff is a great choice for anyone planning to stay out for the full eclipse. The park has plenty of walking paths and viewing spots to explore before theMoon reaches its peak, and its location just north of downtown means you can take in the city skyline while you watch.
- Where: Crescent Road NW, Calgary, Alta.
- McHugh Bluff is a great choice for anyone planning to stay out for the full eclipse. The park has plenty of walking paths and viewing spots to explore before theMoon reaches its peak, and its location just north of downtown means you can take in the city skyline while you watch.
- Fish Creek Provincial Park
- Fish Creek Provincial Park is an awesome option for anyone in Calgary’s south area who wants to catch the eclipse. Particularly around the Bow Valley Ranch in the eastern part of the park. This area has more open space and a clear view towards the eastern horizon. There’s also a large parking lot, washrooms and pathways nearby, so you can easily find a spot to watch from.
Recent posts:
You can cruise on a boat and watch a free drone show in Calgary this weekend
Western Canada’s largest free festival is coming to Alberta with fireworks and a massive midway
Kaiya Williams
Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.
Read articles