On the night of August 27-28, a significant partial lunar eclipse will be visible throughout the United States. This event follows closely on the heels of a recent total solar eclipse observed in Iceland, Spain, and a small part of Portugal. The upcoming lunar eclipse will be a deep one, with coverage reaching up to 93 percent at its peak.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. Before entering the umbra, the moon first traverses the Earth’s outer, fainter shadow called the penumbra. However, due to its dimness, the penumbra phase is challenging to observe with the naked eye.
The majority of Canada will witness the full duration of the eclipse, with Western Canada catching a glimpse of the partial eclipse as the moon rises. Unlike a solar eclipse, no protective eyewear is required to view the lunar eclipse. Furthermore, a lunar eclipse unfolds gradually over several hours, unlike the swift minutes of a solar eclipse.
Scheduled to begin as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, the visible phase of the eclipse will commence at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27 and conclude at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The peak of the eclipse will occur at 12:13 a.m., with nearly the entire moon appearing darkened.
August presents a plethora of celestial events, including the recent partial solar eclipse, the Perseids meteor shower, and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction. While the upcoming lunar eclipse may not result in a full “blood moon,” observers in Canada can expect a striking reddish hue depending on their location.
One advantage of lunar eclipses is their accessibility, requiring only the naked eye for observation. However, binoculars, a small telescope, or a smartphone with a night mode feature can enhance the viewing experience and capture impressive images of the celestial spectacle.