by Noah Jiles
Solar eclipse two weeks ago
If you were eager to witness the solar eclipse two weeks ago only to feel dejected and despaired after you learned it was far outside the visible range for us in the San Luis Valley, I have some fantastic news for you!
Timeline for for this week’s lunar eclipse
On August 27th, 2026, the San Luis Valley will have the opportunity to enjoy a lunar eclipse in the early night sky. Before even rising, the eclipse will enter the penumbral phase around 7:18 PM MDT, with the moon beginning its nightly ascent into the sky seven minutes later. At this point, there isn’t all that much to have fanfare over. However, at 8:33 PM, observers will be able to see the characteristic red glow begin blooming over the moon as the Earth’s shadow occults the lunar surface. Because of our location in the trajectory of the eclipse range, we will not have the privilege of seeing the eclipse at totality, but calling this a “partial” eclipse undersells the spectacle we are in for, as our vantage point will permit us to see the eclipse at 96% of its full totality at peak, 10:12 PM. Over the next hour and half, the red mask shall be lifted, and the penumbral remnants will dissipate fully by 1:01 AM.
| Moon Status | Time (Mountain Standard Time/Denver) |
| Penumbral eclipse begins | 7:18 PM |
| Moonrise | 7:25 PM |
| Partial eclipse begins | 8:33 PM |
| Maximum (96% totality) | 10:12 PM |
| Partial eclipse ends | 11:51 PM |
| Penumbral eclipse ends | 1:01 AM |
Festivities for the eclipse
We are lucky in the San Luis Valley to have such great dark skies for viewing astronomical events like eclipses, meteor showers, and even the occasional aurora. Unlike solar eclipses, it is perfectly safe to view a lunar eclipse with a naked set of eyes. But a spectacle such as this deserves special appreciation. A pair of binoculars can greatly enhance a lunar viewing experience, let alone a full on telescope set up! Some mystic traditions believe this celestial event is a time that amplifies the power of the actions we perform, so this can be a good excuse to set aside some time for contemplative practice to reflect on how one’s actions in life align with the outcomes they seek.
I find lunar eclipses to be a great time to get together with friends to make music and share a meal. When I was younger, it was a regular tradition for me to visit my friends in Durango, CO and go on moonlit journeys into the hills, where we’d set up a little camp and play our musical instruments together under the red, glowing moon in sabbatic concerts that midnight trail bikers would find quite absurd (in a whimsical way, hopefully).
Eclipse photographic courtesy
Depending on one’s cultural background, an eclipse may have radically different interpretations. Local indigenous peoples, such as the Jicarilla Apache and Diné, consider it taboo to be outside during eclipses and it is taught that seeing second-hand depictions of the celestial event is unlucky. For outsiders, this can be an often underdiscussed point of courtesy when posting photos of an eclipse online — if you have many native friends in your social network, it might be tasteful to include a content warning before you post eclipse photography. However, it is also important to note that such taboos are not universally held among all indigenous peoples of this region. The first nations people of this land represent diverse and varied cultures, and one group cannot be understood on their own terms if analyzed as a proxy for another. SLV GO encourages all of our supporters to take the time to study the rich cultural histories of this enchanting land we share as neighbors.
Here’s hoping everyone has a lovely evening with people they care about, no matter how you choose to observe the event!
