It is a fact that lunar and solar eclipses occur close together. People living in the United States have experienced solar eclipses. You can see a lunar eclipse in 2023. This phenomenon can be observed in several countries, such as Africa, the UK, Europe, and Asia, according to New Scientist. The moon will appear red on October 28, 2023, in some countries, such as South America, North America, and Australia.
What Is a Lunar Eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to be cast on the Moon’s surface. This happens only during a full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned in a straight line, and it can only occur when the Moon is in or near the plane of Earth’s orbit, which is called the ecliptic plane.
A Lunar Eclipse Consists of Two Primary Components:
1. Penumbra: The Earth’s outer shadow is called the penumbra. When the Moon passes through this faint outer region of the Earth’s shadow, it may appear slightly dimmed but not significantly darkened.
2. Umbra: The Earth’s inner shadow is called the umbra. When the Moon passes through this darker, central region of the Earth’s shadow, it can become fully or partially obscured, leading to the different phases of a lunar eclipse.
Lunar Eclipses Come in Three Primary Varieties:
1. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse: This is the subtlest type of this phenomenon, where the moon passes through Earth’s penumbral shadow. During it, the moon may appear slightly dimmed or have a subtle shading.
2. Partial Lunar Eclipse: In a partial lunar eclipse, a portion of the moon passes through the earth’s umbral shadow, causing that portion to darken or turn a reddish hue.
3. Total Lunar Eclipse: During it, the entire moon passes through the earth’s umbral shadow, resulting in the moon turning a deep red or copper color. This is often referred to as a “blood moon.” The red hue is caused by Earth’s atmosphere scattering and filtering sunlight, allowing only the longer wavelengths (red and orange) to reach the Moon.
Lunar eclipses are safe to observe with the naked eye, and they provide a fascinating celestial event that can be enjoyed by people all over the world. They typically last for several hours from start to finish, with the total phase being the most captivating part of the eclipse. The frequency of lunar eclipses varies, but on average, there can be several phenomenon visible from different parts of the world each year.