![]() Located on the southern limb of the Moon, it will remain lit by the Sun while most of the lunar disk will turn red.ĭuring an eclipse of the Moon it enters then emerges from the Earth's shadow. However, 2.6% of the Moon won’t enter Earth’s shadow. The physics is the same as for a sunset or sunrise. In fact, during a lunar eclipse the effect is like thousands of sunrises and sunsets being projected onto the lunar surface. So the dominant color of light we’ll see on the Moon for that short time will be red. Short-wavelength blue light from the Sun hits molecules in Earth’s atmosphere and scatters, but longer-wavelength red and orange light mostly travels right through, striking fewer molecules. Explained: why the ‘Blood Moon’ will turn redĭuring the Moon’s long journey through Earth’s shadow on Friday Novemthe only light that will reach the lunar surface will first have been filtered through Earth’s atmosphere. Since it’s far away the Earth’s shadow is larger, so it will take longer to travel through it-it’s therefore an unusually deep lunar eclipse. This month happens to feature the farthest apogee Moon, which is a mere 1.7 days after the eclipse. The Moon has an elliptical orbit that sees it reach a close point ( perigee or “supermoon”) and a far point ( apogee) each month. Why? Because the Moon will be slightly further away than on average. The partial phases of this upcoming eclipse will last for so long because the “Beaver Moon” is going to be the smallest full Moon of the year. However, that’s not a hugely useful definition because at a total lunar eclipse you get an additional period of up to a few hours when the full Moon can reside within the Earth’s shadow, 100% eclipsed and reddish. At no other lunar eclipse this century will you able to watch the build-up to a “Blood Moon” for as long, nor the aftermath. Yes, it’s the longest partial lunar eclipse. NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio Explained: why the ‘Blood Moon’ will last so longĪt three hours 28 minutes and 23 seconds this lunar eclipse will be the longest lunar eclipse between 20 according to NASA. diagram with the times at various stages of the eclipse. ![]() The Moon moves right to left, passing through the penumbra and umbra, leaving in its wake an eclipse. ![]() What will happen on Friday, Novemis a full Moon traveling through the edge of the Earth’s shadow. The Moon’s orbit is titled in respect to the ecliptic-the Sun’s apparent path through our daytime sky-so only very occasionally does a New Moon eclipse the Sun (a total solar eclipse) and/or a full Moon travel through the Earth’s shadow (a total lunar eclipse). When those alignments are precise they cause either a solar or lunar eclipse. MORE FROM FORBES In Photos: Jaw-Dropping New Images Of Jupiter And Its 'Wet Moon' Europa Taken This Week By NASA's Juno Spacecraft By Jamie Carter ![]() Each month the New Moon passes roughly between the Earth and the Sun and then orbits to the other side of Earth to the Sun to become a full Moon. In fact, during the event only 97% of the Moon will enter Earth’s shadow in space, leaving a tiny portion still illuminated by the Sun.Ī total lunar eclipse occurs when a full Moon passes through Earth’s shadow in space. On Friday, Novemthose in North America, South America, Australia and East Asia will see the full Moon turn red. ![]() Explained: ‘Blood Moon’ partial lunar eclipse ![]()
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