A Lunar Eclipse Is Coming, and Almost All of North America Will See It
There has been no shortage of exciting celestial events this month. Just two weeks after a solar eclipse delighted millions of people around the world, a lunar eclipse will be visible across North America. Here is what you need to know about this upcoming event.
Details of Upcoming Partial Lunar Eclipse in the U.S.
The moon is set to put on quite the show next week when a partial lunar eclipse unfolds around the country. According to NASA, all of the U.S. will be able to see this eclipse on August 27. Approximately 93% of the moon will be covered by the Earth's shadow, making it just shy of a total lunar eclipse.
The partial lunar eclipse will happen on the same day as the August full moon, most frequently known as the Sturgeon Moon. The big event will begin on Thursday at 9:23 pm ET. The maximum eclipse, when the moon is the most covered, is slated to take place a few hours later at 12:12 am ET on Friday, August 28.
While all of the U.S. will experience some degree of the eclipse, the East Coast and portions of the Midwest will see the highest percentage of coverage. Meanwhile, Alaska and the West Coast will only be able to see a portion of the eclipse from their location. All of South America will enjoy the full eclipse while the rest of the Southern Hemisphere will just see a portion of the natural wonder.
Understanding the Astronomical Science of a Lunar Eclipse
Eclipses happen when the sun, moon, and Earth align, covering each other up in phases. The order in which these celestial bodies align determines if you will see a lunar or solar eclipse.
Solar eclipses can take place during the new moon phase when the sun and moon come together on the same side of Earth. The moon moving between Earth and the sun completely blocks the light from the sun from reaching Earth.
The period of totality is when the sun's light is completely obscured by the moon. The sky darkens even during the middle of the day. Viewers can safely remove their eclipse glasses to see the moon blocking the sun during the moments of totality.
Conversely, lunar eclipses happen when there is a full moon. During this type of eclipse, planet Earth moves between the sun and the moon, casting a visible shadow on the moon. Although the moon appears big and bright, it does not actually generate its own light. Instead, it serves as a massive mirror that reflects the light of the sun down to Earth.
You will need clear skies in order to see this week's partial lunar eclipse in all of its glory. Be sure to check the weather, specifically the cloud cover forecast, when making your plans. Viewers will have the most luck if they find a dark location away from the bright city lights. Be sure to give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
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