How to observe a lunar eclipse
Have you ever watched a lunar eclipse? If, not you have missed a real treat!
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. This happens when the Sun and Moon are on opposite sides of the Earth. An eclipse of the Moon, or lunar eclipse, can only occur at Full Moon. A lunar eclipse does not occur during every Full Moon, because usually the Moon passes above or below the Earth’s shadow. There can be up to three lunar eclipses per year when the Moon passes through at least a portion of the Earth’s shadow (producing a partial to total eclipse). When an eclipse of the Moon takes place, everyone on the night side of Earth can see it.
In a total lunar eclipse the entire Moon is engulfed in Earth’s shadow. During a partial eclipse, the Earth’s shadow only darkens part of the Moon. A total eclipse will go through partial phases before and after the total eclipse. When the Moon first enters the Earth’s outer shadow, the penumbra, you won’t see much difference. As the Moon enters the darker inner shadow, the umbra, a small shadow begins to appear on the Moon. The shadow grows as the eclipse progresses from partial to total.
Unlike solar eclipses, it is completely safe to watch a lunar eclipse with the naked eye. There is no potential danger. However, a pair of binoculars will help magnify the view and make the red coloration, which can range from shades of red to bright orange, easier to see. The color and brightness is dependent upon the amount of dust in the Earth’s atmosphere at the time of the eclipse.
Of course, if you have a small telescope, the view will be even more brilliant. It does not even take a large telescope to view a lunar eclipse. A 50mm refractor with a focal length of about 30 inches will give full-moon images at lower power. You can also see Saturn and Regulus located very close to the Moon.
If you take the time to watch the entire eclipse, two to three hours, you will see the Earth’s shadow begin to move past the Moon. After this takes place, the Moon will again become the normal, bright image seen in the night sky.
The next full moon eclipse in this latitude can be seen December 12th, 2010.
