Lunar eclipses occur when Earth positions itself between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow throughout the lunar floor.
They will solely happen throughout a full moon and are a well-liked occasion for skywatchers worldwide as they don’t require any specialist tools to take pleasure in (in contrast to solar eclipses).
Two total lunar eclipses will happen in 2022 and will probably be seen all over the world. The primary lunar eclipse of the 12 months occurred on Could 15-16 and the second will happen on Nov. 8. To seek out out when, the place and easy methods to see this 12 months’s lunar eclipses, take a look at our lunar eclipse 2022 guide.
Associated: Solar eclipse guide 2022: When, where & how to see them
Daisy Dobrijevic
Daisy joined Area.com in February 2022, earlier than then she labored as a employees author for our sister publication All About Area journal.
What are lunar eclipses?
A lunar eclipse is brought on by Earth blocking daylight from reaching the moon and making a shadow throughout the lunar floor.
The sun-blocking Earth casts two shadows that fall on the moon throughout a lunar eclipse: The umbra is a full, darkish shadow, and the penumbra is a partial outer shadow.
There are three sorts of lunar eclipses relying on how the sun, Earth and moon are aligned on the time of the occasion.
- Complete lunar eclipse: Earth’s shadow is forged throughout the complete lunar floor.
- Partial lunar eclipse: Throughout a partial lunar eclipse, solely a part of the moon enters Earth’s shadow, which can appear to be it’s taking a “chew” out of the lunar floor. Earth’s shadow will seem darkish on the facet of the moon going through Earth. How a lot of a “chew” we see is determined by how the sun, Earth and moon align, according to NASA (opens in new tab).
- Penumbral lunar eclipse: The faint outer a part of Earth’s shadow is forged throughout the lunar floor. This kind of eclipse will not be as dramatic as the opposite two and may be troublesome to see.
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What occurs throughout a lunar eclipse?
Why does the moon flip pink throughout an eclipse?
Throughout a total lunar eclipse, the lunar floor turns a rusty pink coloration, incomes the nickname “blood moon“. The eerie pink look is brought on by daylight interacting with Earth’s atmosphere.
When daylight reaches Earth, our ambiance scatters and filters totally different wavelengths. Shorter wavelengths resembling blue gentle are scattered outward, whereas longer wavelengths like pink are bent — or refracted — into Earth’s umbra, in keeping with the Natural History Museum (opens in new tab). When the moon passes by way of Earth’s umbra throughout a total lunar eclipse, the pink gentle displays off the lunar floor, giving the moon its blood-red look.
“How gold, orange, or pink the moon seems throughout a total lunar eclipse is determined by how a lot dust, water, and different particles are in Earth’s ambiance” according to NASA scientists (opens in new tab). Different atmospheric components resembling temperature and humidity additionally have an effect on the moon’s look throughout a lunar eclipse.
How usually do lunar eclipses occur and the way lengthy do they final?
In astronomical phrases, a lunar eclipse is a comparatively widespread phenomenon, with about three lunar eclipses occurring yearly, in keeping with the Nationwide Historical past Museum. Roughly 29% of lunar eclipses are total lunar eclipses, in keeping with TimeandDate.com (opens in new tab).
Lunar eclipses are extra simply noticed than solar eclipses, as they are often considered with the unaided eye by any observer located the place the moon is above the horizon. As such, a total eclipse may be seen from any given location — on common — as soon as each 2.5 years. (Reminder: By no means look straight on the sun, even throughout a total solar eclipse, with out safety resembling verified eclipse glasses; critical and everlasting eye injury may result.)
A lunar eclipse normally lasts a couple of hours in keeping with the National Weather Service (opens in new tab) with totality (the period of total obscuration of the moon) ranging between half-hour to over an hour.
The right way to see a lunar eclipse
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Lunar eclipses are among the many best skywatching occasions to look at.
To look at one, you merely exit, search for and revel in. You do not want a telescope or some other particular tools. Nonetheless, binoculars or a small telescope will deliver out particulars on the lunar floor — moonwatching is as fascinating throughout an eclipse as it’s at some other time. If the eclipse happens throughout winter, bundle up in case you plan to be out for the period — an eclipse can take a few hours to unfold. Carry heat drinks and blankets or chairs for consolation.
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Scientists like to look at lunar eclipses, too.
“We will get actually good science out of what occurs to the floor of the moon throughout total lunar eclipses, however once more, the cool factor is that the moon modifications coloration,” Noah Petro, a analysis scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, advised Area.com. “It is one thing enjoyable to see — it is benign, but it surely’s a change. And anytime we see [a] change within the skies, it is all the time type of thrilling.”
When you hope to snap a photograph of a lunar eclipse, this is our information on How to photograph a lunar eclipse with a digital camera. And in case you want imaging tools, our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography have suggestions to be sure you’re prepared for the following eclipse.
Extra sources
Be taught extra about lunar phases and eclipses with NASA Science (opens in new tab). Discover Hanwell Community Observatory (opens in new tab)‘s reality sheet for extra lunar eclipse info. Uncover why we do not have a lunar eclipse each month with the Rice Space Institute (opens in new tab) at Rice College.
Bibliography
NASA. Blood Purple Moon: Complete Lunar Eclipse. NASA. Retrieved May 10 (opens in new tab), 2022,
O’Callaghan, J. (2019, July 16). Lunar eclipse information: What they’re, when to see them and the place. Natural History Museum (opens in new tab). Retrieved Could 10, 2022.
NASA. (2017, May 3 (opens in new tab)). What’s an Eclipse? NASA. Retrieved Could 10, 2022.
Hocken, V., Kher, A. Complete Lunar Eclipse. timeanddate.com (opens in new tab). Retrieved Could 10, 2022.
