On the night of August 27-28, a partial lunar eclipse will be visible nationwide. This event follows the total solar eclipse seen recently in Iceland, Spain, and a small part of Portugal. The upcoming partial eclipse will have a significant depth, with 93% coverage at its peak.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra, after moving through the outer, fainter shadow called the penumbra. While the penumbra phase is hard to observe with the naked eye due to its dimness, most of Canada will have a clear view of the eclipse, with Western Canada witnessing the partial eclipse as the moon rises.
Unlike solar eclipses, protective eyewear is unnecessary for observing lunar eclipses. Furthermore, a lunar eclipse unfolds over hours rather than minutes, offering a unique viewing experience. The eclipse will 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. ET on August 28. The deepest part of the eclipse, with almost the entire moon darkened, will occur at 12:13 a.m.
This celestial event is one of several noteworthy astronomical occurrences happening this month. According to Elaina Hyde, the director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University, August has been packed with astronomical events, including the recent partial solar eclipse, the Perseids meteor shower, and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction.
Regarding the lunar eclipse’s color, Hyde mentioned that while it won’t turn entirely red due to being a partial eclipse, observers in Canada can still expect a reddish hue. The advantage of lunar eclipses is their accessibility without the need for specialized equipment, making it a captivating sight for all skywatchers.