Astronomy

A penumbral eclipse of the moon is very subtle

May 1, 2023

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Nils Ribi in Solar Valley, Idaho, caught the November 30, 2020, penumbral lunar eclipse. He wrote: “The penumbral eclipse of the full moon, November 30, 2020, at 2:43 a.m., the time of best eclipse, in Solar Valley, Idaho. It was good to see that the eclipse was not that faint right here.” Thanks, Nils!

The next penumbral lunar eclipse: May 5-6, 2023

An eclipse of the moon can solely occur at full moon, when the sun, Earth and moon line up in space, with Earth within the center. So at such instances, Earth’s shadow falls on the moon, making a lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipses occur a minimum of two times to a maximum of five times a yr. As a matter of reality, there are three sorts of lunar eclipses: total, partial and penumbral.

In a lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow falls on the moon. And if the moon passes by the darkish central shadow of Earth – the umbra – a partial or total lunar eclipse takes place. Then, if the moon solely passes by the outer a part of the shadow – the penumbra – a refined penumbral eclipse happens. Diagram through Fred Espenak/ Lunar Eclipses for Beginners. Used with permission.

Diagram with Earth between sun and moon showing moon passing through Earth's shadow. — In a lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow falls on the moon. And if the moon passes by the darkish central shadow of Earth – the umbra – a partial or total lunar eclipse takes place. Then, if the moon solely passes by the outer a part of the shadow – the penumbra – a refined penumbral eclipse happens. Diagram through Fred Espenak/ Lunar Eclipses for Beginners. Used with permission.

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The three forms of lunar eclipses

In a total eclipse of the moon, the internal a part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra, falls on the moon’s face. Then at mid-eclipse, all the moon is in shadow, which may appear blood red.

Subsequent, there’s a partial lunar eclipse, the place the umbra takes a chew out of solely a fraction of the moon. The darkish chew grows bigger, after which recedes, by no means reaching the total phase.

Lastly, there’s a penumbral lunar eclipse, when solely the extra diffuse outer shadow of Earth – the penumbra – falls on the moon’s face. In reality, this third type of lunar eclipse is far more refined, and far more tough to look at, than both a total or partial eclipse of the moon. That’s as a result of there’s by no means a darkish chew taken out of the moon, as in a partial eclipse. So the eclipse by no means progresses to achieve the dramatic minutes of totality. And at finest, at mid-eclipse, very observant individuals will discover a darkish shading on the moon’s face. Others will look and see nothing in any respect.

In accordance with eclipse professional Fred Espenak, about 35% of all eclipses are penumbral. One other 30% are partial eclipses, the place it seems as if a darkish chew has been taken out of the moon. And the ultimate 35% go all the best way to changing into total eclipses of the moon, a phenomenal pure occasion.

What to anticipate from a penumbral eclipse

View larger. | Left, an peculiar full moon with no eclipse. Proper, full moon in penumbral eclipse on November 20, 2002. Grasp eclipse photographer Fred Espenak took this picture when the moon was 88.9% immersed in Earth’s penumbral shadow. There’s no darkish chew taken out of the moon. A penumbral eclipse creates solely a darkish shading on the moon’s face. Picture through Fred Espenak. Used with permission.

Some eclipse photographs

That is what a total eclipse appears to be like like. That is the total eclipse of October 27, 2004. Picture through Fred Espenak.

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Lorraine Boyd in Delmar, New York, wrote: “Regardless that we had cloudy skies, there have been breaks and I used to be capable of seize the complete Beaver Moon partial lunar eclipse. It was a phenomenal sight to see.” It was, wasn’t it? Thanks, Lorraine!

View at EarthSky Community Photos. | Right here is the penumbral eclipse of July 4-5, 2020. As you possibly can see, it’s not very noticeable. Greg Redfern in central Virginia commented: “Taken at most eclipse for the penumbral lunar eclipse. Could also be some shading within the higher left quadrant.” Thanks, Greg.

Backside line: There are three sorts of lunar eclipses: total, partial and penumbral. A penumbral eclipse could be very refined. At no time does a darkish chew look like taken out of the moon. As an alternative, at mid-eclipse, observant individuals will discover a shading on the moon’s face.

Next penumbral lunar eclipse: May 5-6, 2023

Deborah Byrd

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Concerning the Creator:

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio collection in 1991 and based EarthSky.org in 1994. In the present day, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this web site. She has gained a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, together with having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a drive for good on this planet and a significant software for the twenty first century. “Being an EarthSky editor is like internet hosting a giant international celebration for cool nature-lovers,” she says.

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