On the night of August 27-28, a significant partial lunar eclipse will be visible throughout the country. This event follows the recent total solar eclipse witnessed in Iceland, Spain, and a small area of Portugal about two weeks ago. The upcoming partial eclipse is expected to have a deep impact, with coverage reaching 93% at its peak.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. Before entering the umbra, the moon traverses the outer, fainter shadow called the penumbra. However, the penumbra is challenging to observe with the naked eye due to its dimness.
Most regions in Canada will have the opportunity to witness the entire eclipse duration. Western Canada, on the other hand, will observe the partial eclipse already in progress as the moon rises.
Unlike solar eclipses, no protective eyewear is required to observe a lunar eclipse. Additionally, lunar eclipses unfold over hours rather than minutes, providing a prolonged viewing experience.
The eclipse is set to commence as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, with the visible phase starting at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27 and concluding at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The deepest part of the eclipse is anticipated at 12:13 a.m., with most of the moon appearing darkened.
This celestial event is just one of several astronomical phenomena happening this month. Elaina Hyde, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy in Toronto, highlighted the exciting astronomical events in August, including the partial solar eclipse on August 12, the Perseids meteor shower, and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction.
While the upcoming lunar eclipse is a partial one and may not result in a complete “blood moon,” certain regions in Canada may witness a reddish hue. Observing a lunar eclipse requires no special equipment, making it accessible to everyone. Hyde suggested that using binoculars, a small telescope, or a smartphone camera with a good night mode can enhance the viewing experience and capture impressive images.