When our Earth is positioned precisely between the sun and the moon during a full moon, there is a total lunar eclipse. These do not happen every full moon because the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted compared to Earth’s orbit around the sun. For most full moons, the sun, Earth and moon are not in a perfect line.
When the sun, Earth and moon are perfectly lined up in that order, the moon moves into Earth’s shadow. Two shadows are cast: the umbra and the penumbra.
The umbra is the darker shadow in the center. It tapers toward the moon. The penumbra is the second shadow. It is not as dark and angles outward on either side of the moon.
The moon will orbit into the penumbra, moving into the umbra and continue its journey through the penumbra on the other side. The moment the moon is entirely in the umbra is the moment we observe the total lunar eclipse.
Check out this simple experiment that you can repeat at home to understand the umbra and penumbra better.
Why red?
The moon will start to turn a magnificent red as it passes through the umbra. This is because of how light travels. Imagine a rainbow. Red has the longest wavelength, and purple has the shortest.
As light from the sun reaches Earth’s atmosphere, the shorter wavelengths are scattered away while the red seeps through. The more dust and clouds there are in the atmosphere during the eclipse, the more reddish the moon will appear. This is the same reason sunrises and sunsets are such a pretty orange.
Where can I watch?
You don’t have to go far; just step outside! If the clouds stay away on the night of Thursday, March 13, you will be able to view the total lunar eclipse!
The eclipse begins around 11 p.m. The total lunar eclipse technically happens the next day, at 1:26 a.m. Friday, March 14. We will be able to see it because our location on Earth is in the umbra.
In about six months, on Sept. 8, there will be another total lunar eclipse. You won’t be able to see that one unless you travel to places in Eastern Europe, Asia or Western Australia.
When can I see?
The bad news is you’ll have to wake up in the middle of the night to see this lunar eclipse! The good news, it’s a Thursday so you’ll have all weekend to rest up. The moment of the total eclipse, when the moon is fully in the umbra, will be at 1:58 a.m. It begins to enter the umbra at 1:26 a.m. and completely leaves the umbra at 2:31 a.m.
Plan ahead!
Decide with your family how much of the show you want to wake up for and then set an alarm. You can get everything you need ready before you go to sleep. Lay out warm clothes, blankets or lawn chairs and maybe a Thermos and mugs to make some middle-of-the-night hot chocolate.
You don’t need any special equipment to see the lunar eclipse, but if you have binoculars or a telescope you can have them ready as well to enhance your view. Then all you have to do is wake up, head outside and share this magical moment together!
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