Let’s prepare for an amazing event. A stunning lunar eclipse is set to occur on Monday, March 25, 2024, when the Earth aligns between the Sun and the Moon. This alignment causes the Earth’s shadow to fall on the Moon, resulting in a dimmer appearance.
This event coincides with the Festival of Colors, a traditional Hindu celebration marking the arrival of spring and new beginnings. For locations more than 6 hours behind GMT (west of Chicago), the eclipse will start on the night of March 24, 2024.
Curious about where to witness a lunar eclipse, the difference between penumbral and umbral solar eclipses, the possibility of the moon turning red, or the astrological sign the moon will be in during a solar eclipse? Find answers to these questions below.
If you’re excited about clear nights this year, consider planning ahead with our UK full moon calendar and beginner’s guide to astronomy.
When does a lunar eclipse occur?
A penumbral lunar eclipse is scheduled for March 24th to 25th, 2024.
For viewers in the UK, the eclipse will take place a few hours before sunrise, with the moon setting as it reaches its maximum phase. In Bristol, the sunrise will be at 6am GMT on March 25th, placing the eclipse in the early morning sky just before the moon sets.
At 6:03 a.m. GMT, the eclipse will peak while the moon is still above the horizon. The true maximum at 7:12 a.m. won’t be visible as the moon will have set by then.
The moon will start to set at 6:11 a.m. GMT, but its proximity to the horizon and the eclipse phase may dim it before its descent, possibly making it almost invisible.
During a lunar eclipse, the moon will be above the horizon, providing better visibility for observers in the United States.
For Bristol, UK:
- A penumbral solar eclipse begins: March 25th, 4:53 a.m. GMT (Moon visible on the horizon)
- Maximum eclipse: March 25, 7:12 a.m. GMT (moon below the horizon)
- Penumbral eclipse ends: March 25, 9:32 a.m. GMT (moon below the horizon)
For New York City, USA:
- A penumbral solar eclipse begins: March 25th 12:53am ET (Moon visible above the horizon)
- Maximum eclipse: March 25th, 3:12 a.m. ET (Moon visible on the horizon)
- Penumbral eclipse ends: March 25th, 5:32am ET (moon visible on the horizon)
For San Francisco, USA:
- A penumbral solar eclipse begins: March 24th, 9:53 PM PST* (Moon visible on the horizon)
- Maximum eclipse: March 25th, 12:12am PST (Moon visible on the horizon)
- Penumbral eclipse ends: March 25th, 2:32 a.m. PST (Moon visible on the horizon)
* In the United States, clocks changed to daylight saving time on March 10th. In the UK, clocks change to BST on March 31st.
Where can I see the lunar eclipse?
The lunar eclipse on March 25, 2024, will be visible across the United States, South America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, Asia, Western Australia, and the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
For locations west of Chicago, Illinois, the eclipse will begin on March 24 and last until sunrise.
What exactly is a penumbral eclipse?
All objects cast two shadows when in front of a light source: the dark umbra and the bright penumbra. This remains true when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon.
During a lunar eclipse, when the moon enters Earth’s penumbra, a partial shadow is formed. Penumbral eclipses are subtle and may be challenging to observe. On Earth, this translates to a gradual dimming of the Moon’s brightness.
During a total lunar eclipse, as the Moon enters Earth’s umbra, it takes on a reddish hue for a more dramatic effect. The intensity of the red color depends on the Moon’s position in Earth’s shadow, appearing blood red in the deepest shadow and pale red in partial shadow.
For future lunar residents, standing on the Moon during a lunar eclipse would reveal Earth blocking the Sun, a scenario where a solar eclipse is witnessed.
What causes a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves in front of the Sun, casting its shadow on the Moon. Since the Moon reflects sunlight back to us, its visibility during a lunar eclipse is affected when this sunlight is obstructed.
There are different stages to a lunar eclipse: transition through Earth’s penumbra, entry into the dark umbra, return to the penumbra, and finally exit from the shadow completely.
During the upcoming lunar eclipse on March 24-25, 2024, the Moon will stay within the penumbra without entering the central umbra.
What constellation is the moon in?
The penumbral eclipse on March 24-25, 2024, will take place while the Moon is in Virgo, mirroring the placement of Spica, the brightest object in the constellation but slightly to the west.
Will the moon turn red?
Unfortunately, the lunar eclipse on March 24-25, 2024, will not be total, meaning the Moon will not turn red. At most, observant viewers may notice a slight darkening, far less dramatic than during a total lunar eclipse.
Under most circumstances, the lunar eclipse will go unnoticed: “Regrettably, this full moon will only pass through Earth’s darker outer shadow. The lunar eclipse will not be observable at all!” Dr. Darren Baskill, University of Sussex, remarks.
To visualize the distinction, Dr. Baskill suggests placing your hand between a bright light and a surface at night, observing the fainter penumbra surrounding the dark umbra of your hand.
Why do solar eclipses come in pairs?
Observant viewers will notice solar and lunar eclipses occurring successively. After the lunar eclipse on March 24-25, 2024, a solar eclipse will follow on April 8, 2024, promising an even more impressive celestial event.
This phenomenon arises from the alignment of the Sun, Earth, Moon, and their orbital planes.
The Moon’s orbit is slightly inclined compared to Earth’s orbit around the Sun, leading it to pass slightly above or below Earth’s orbital path. Despite this, specific points where the Moon’s orbit intersects Earth’s orbital path—termed “nodes”—exist.
During a solar eclipse season, recurring approximately every six months, alignments near these nodes permit both solar and lunar eclipses to occur. The full moon’s passage through Earth’s shadow creates a lunar eclipse, which is followed by a solar eclipse two weeks later, during the new moon phase, with the Sun, Earth, and Moon aligning perfectly.
When is the next lunar eclipse?
Following March 25, 2024, a partial lunar eclipse is slated for September 18, 2024, preceding a total lunar eclipse about a year later, on March 14, 2025.
Subsequent total lunar eclipses will occur in three consecutive instances, on September 7, 2025, and March 3, 2026.
Here is a list of upcoming lunar eclipses:
- March 25, 2024: penumbra
- September 18, 2024: Partial
- March 14, 2025: total
- September 7, 2025: total
- March 3, 2026: total
- August 28, 2026: Partial
- February 20, 2027: penumbra
- July 18, 2027: penumbra
- August 17, 2027: penumbra
- January 12, 2028: Partial
- July 6, 2028: Partial
- December 31, 2028: total
- June 26, 2029: total
- December 20, 2029: total
Tips for viewing the lunar eclipse
No special equipment is needed to observe a lunar eclipse, as it is entirely safe to view the moon even during the event. The moon reflects sunlight and lacks dangerous radiation. Therefore, it poses no threat to human eyes.
On a clear night, simply use your eyes to witness the eclipse. A reclining chair may enhance comfort during outdoor viewing. For UK spectators, the eclipse will transpire before dawn, with the moon low on the horizon, possibly visible from indoors if not obstructed by foliage.
To maximize visibility, avoiding areas with high light pollution remains crucial.
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About our expert Dr. Darren Baskill
Dr. Darren Baskill is an Outreach Officer and Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sussex. He previously instructed at the Royal Observatory Greenwich and managed the annual Astronomical Photographer of the Year competition.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
