Just two weeks after the captivating total solar eclipse in southern Europe, a near-total lunar eclipse is set to mesmerize sky watchers across the Americas on Thursday night.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, creating a shadow on the moon’s surface. This upcoming event will witness almost the entire moon (96.2% at the peak of the eclipse) being covered by Earth’s shadow.
Weather permitting, viewers in the continental United States are in for some of the most spectacular views. Other parts of North America, South America, Europe, and Africa will also be able to witness the eclipse.
During a lunar eclipse, Earth’s shadow gives the moon a reddish-orange hue due to the scattering of light from the sun in Earth’s atmosphere. This effect leads to a total lunar eclipse being commonly referred to as a “blood moon.”
The lunar eclipse will kick off at 9:23 p.m. ET, as the moon emerges from the Earth’s shadow. The climax of the event is expected at 12:12 a.m. ET, with over 96% of the moon’s surface being covered. The eclipse will conclude at 3:01 a.m. ET when the moon exits Earth’s shadow.
Most observers in the Americas (excluding Alaska and northern Canada) will have a chance to witness all stages of the eclipse. However, viewers in Europe and Africa will have to catch the early hours of Friday morning for the event before the moon sets.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be safely viewed with the naked eye, but using binoculars or telescopes can enhance the viewing experience.
This lunar eclipse follows a recent total solar eclipse that darkened skies over parts of Spain, Portugal, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Russia. Solar and lunar eclipses tend to occur in pairs due to the alignment of the Moon, Earth, and Sun.
Solar eclipses take place during the new moon phase, while lunar eclipses occur during the full moon phase, usually about two weeks apart from each other.
The next solar eclipse is set for February 6th and will be visible in select parts of South America and Africa. Following that, the next lunar eclipse is scheduled for February 20th to 21st, visible across various continents. According to NASA.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
