The forecast is only calling for a few clouds tonight in our area, which means it could be good-viewing for the full lunar eclipse.
A lunar eclipse happens when the earth is in between the moon and the sun, and the moon passes through the shadow cast by the earth.
According to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), a lunar eclipse can only happen during a full moon, when the moon is on the opposite side of earth than the Sun.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses can be seen by most of the hemisphere, and can therefore be viewed by many more people.
CSA explains that the earth’s shadow consists of the umbra (the inner part, where there is no sunlight) and the penumbra (outer part, where there is some sunlight). Depending on the Moon’s trajectory, there can be three types of lunar eclipses: penumbral, umbral or total (when the moon completely crosses the earths umbra).
Tonights eclipse is a full eclipse. The umbra will begin at 2:25 a.m. and last until 3:31. With the peak of the eclipse happening 2:59 a.m.
During a lunar eclipse, at no point does the moon disappear, but it does become fully red when it is in full shadow during the umbra.
This is why a full lunar eclipse is often referred to as a ‘blood moon’.
