No matter where they are, skywatchers around the globe will be able to enjoy the show under clear weather conditions. “You may be able to observe the first part of the eclipse as the Moon just starts to darken, but the Moon will be near or on the horizon as Earth’s shadow begins to cover it,” NASA stated. ![]() For the eastern side of the U.S., the eclipse will begin during dawn twilight. Unlike solar eclipses, it’s safe to view lunar eclipses with the naked eye.Īccording to NASA, the best viewing of the eclipse will be in Hawaii, Alaska and the western states. A partial lunar eclipse will occur on Nov. This is the first of only two lunar eclipses in 2021. The red color comes from sunlight filtering through Earth’s atmosphere as the moon passes through the planet’s shadow over several hours. It’s called a blood moon because of the reddish hue it takes on during the eclipse, according to NASA. May’s supermoon is distinctive because it’s also a “blood moon” due to the total lunar eclipse, which occurs when the Earth, positioned directly between the moon and sun, blocks the moon from sunlight. And, as the luck of celestial geometry would have it, both will be even better for North Americans than this December’s event.Dinosaur discoveries: What is a ‘Monkeydactyl’ and how many T-Rexes were on the planet? ![]() The next two total lunar eclipses occur April 15 and October 8, 2014. “So it’s just like looking at an Earth landscape on a sunny day.” ![]() “All we’re seeing is reflected sunlight,” he said. If it’s clear where you are, just go outside and take a look.” Andrews also stated that total eclipses of the Moon are completely safe to look at. Totality will allow viewers to pick out the bright winter stars closest to our nearest celestial neighbor.Īstronomy magazine Associate Editor Bill Andrews described the upcoming eclipse as an opportunity for some easy observing: “Lunar eclipses are popular events because they require no equipment. The sky certainly will grow darker, especially from sites far from city lights. On December 10, most astronomers expect the totally eclipsed Moon to be bright orange. It’s this dim glow that fills Earth’s shadow and lights the eclipsed Moon. Lunar eclipses exhibit a red-to-orange range of shades because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere during totality becomes scattered and reddened. What color will the Moon turn at mideclipse? During previous total eclipses, the Moon has appeared brown, orange, crimson, and brick red. “Dark” eclipses generally occur after large volcanic eruptions when our atmosphere contains more dust. The cleaner our atmosphere is, the “lighter” the eclipse will be. Some sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere will fall on the lunar surface. Although that will be the darkest and, therefore, the most impressive phase, the Moon won’t disappear from view. If you have only a limited amount of time, concentrate on viewing totality. PST, and the event concludes as Luna exits the penumbra at 9:30 a.m. The partial eclipse finishes at 8:18 a.m. PST when a sliver of the Moon’s bright surface reappears. From that point, the rest of the eclipse occurs in reverse order. The midpoint - called “greatest eclipse” - occurs at 6:32 a.m. The umbra engulfs the whole Moon starting at 6:06 a.m. ![]() That’s when the dark umbra begins its 1 hour and 20 minute crawl across our satellite’s face. You won’t notice much of a change, however, until just before the partial phase begins at 4:46 a.m. PST as the Moon moves into the penumbra of Earth’s shadow.
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