NASA give demonstration on how a lunar eclipse occurs
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A total lunar eclipse will happen within early tomorrow morning, where the Moon will turn rusty red for all to see. Well, for nearly everyone – with the best viewing platforms being on the west coast of the US, Australia and southeast Asia. The bad news is the spectacle will not be visible from Europe, Africa or the UK. In the States the lunar eclipse, which is the last one of 2022, and the final one for three years, is being dubbed Election Day Eclipse as it coincides with the day the midterm elections begin. For any Brits who are desperate to see it, there is a live stream of the phenomenon which can be accessed by pressing here.
How does it happen?
A total lunar eclipse happens when the sun, Earth and Moon all line up – with the Earth appearing in the centre. This allows the full moon to move into the Earth’s shadow making it appear slightly dimmed.
It is the sunlight passing through our planet’s atmosphere that makes the Moon so visible – and often in shades, the naked eye is not used to. It can appear with a red or dark grey tint to it.
A total lunar eclipse is normally quite a slow event, with experts saying it takes more than an hour to complete which makes it far slower than a solar eclipse.
And there’s also a very good reason why these space events don’t happen all the time – and it’s all to do with the Moon’s orbital tilt and alignment.
The Moon adopts a 5˚ orbital tilt which means it’ll usually pass above or below Earth’s shadow – but it takes a straight alignment between the Earth, sun and Moon for this spectacle to take place.
NASA experts say this is the last lunar eclipse for three years as the next occurs on March 14, 2025 – but there will be other amazing sights in the sky to see in the meantime.
They say there will be partial and penumbral lunar eclipses during this time. But for penumbral eclipses, people often need to be aware they are happening as it can be an easy thing to miss.
This is because the Moon travels through the faint outer part of Earth’s shadow causing it to dim ever so slightly. The changes of which are so minuscule that they are not always noticeable.
The next lunar events will be penumbral and partial – and will take place next spring and autumn. Again it’s not likely the UK will be able to see them, with NASA saying the penumbral eclipse on May 5 next year will be best viewed in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Then on October 28, a partial eclipse will be seen in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia – but it’s not yet clear if the UK will fall into its viewing window.
Those living in one of the countries where it will be visible tomorrow will not need any special equipment to see it. Binoculars or a telescope will help enhance the vision and the redness of the Moon.
Simply a dark environment away from bright lights will do it. A clear sky without any fog or clouds will also make for perfect viewing.
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The totality phase – which is where the Moon steps into the Earth’s shadow in its entirety will be seen across North and Central America and in Ecuador, Colombia, and western parts of Venezuela, Peru, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. In Puerto Rico, the Moon will set once the totality phase begins to end.
People in Alaska and Hawaii will have the opportunity to see every stage of the eclipse, NASA says.
The last time the UK saw a partial solar eclipse was not too long ago – on October 25 where parts of the country caught a glimpse of it, albeit briefly.
NASA will be live-streaming tomorrow’s eclipse and will also feature lunar scientist Noah Petro and a commentary from the telescope stream contributors from across the globe.
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