Look! Up in the sky! It’s a lunar eclipse!
| August 5, 2009 | 11:21 AM
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A couple weeks ago, a rare total solar eclipse drew millions in Asia outside to watch as the skies went dark for a few minutes. Unfortunately, it wasn’t visible on this side of the world.
Tonight and into tomorrow, though, we’ll experience a lunar eclipse – when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow and appears to dim. Not as good as the total solar eclipse, but still cool nonetheless, right?
Too bad it still won’t be visible. This eclipse is a penumbral eclipse, meaning the moon will be moving through Earth’s penumbra, the outer part of its shadow. Because sunlight is still getting through, the moon will seem to dim only very slightly. So slightly that you won’t see it with the naked eye unless you have really good eyesight and a really dark sky.
Another penumbral lunar eclipse took place a month ago on July 7. It, too, was not visible by the naked eye. But the combination of lunar eclipse-solar eclipse-lunar eclipse in a month’s time is pretty rare.
If you’re interested in going outside to take a look, the eclipse will be over Denver tonight at 8 p.m.
astronomy, lunar eclipse, penumbra
