![\"Lunar](\"https:\/\/cdn.forumcomm.com\/dims4\/default\/b02d203\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1280x720+0+0\/resize\/840x473!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum-communications-production-web.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F86%2F52%2F2e1f3e0c4f928ef501a3603c3730%2Flunar-eclipse-diagram-nasa-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWeren’t able to see the recent solar eclipse? You hold an ace in your hand \u2014 celestial mechanics. The sun, Earth and moon align again on Thursday, Aug. 27, this time for a lunar eclipse. Eclipses usually occur in pairs, first a solar then a lunar or vice versa. That’s because there’s only two weeks between new moon, when a solar eclipse happens, and full moon, when a lunar eclipse can occur. The time between them is short enough for all three to line up again in eclipse. <\/p>\n
During most full moons, the moon passes above or below our planet’s shadow and we don’t see an eclipse. But when the alignment is exact or nearly so, all or part of the moon struts through Earth’s shadow. The same way a tree’s shadow creates shade, Earth’s shadow shades the moon. <\/p>\n
The upcoming eclipse will be partial but so close to total it should be a marvelous sight. When deepest in shadow, 96% of the moon will be obscured. You can start watching at around 9 p.m. Central Time Thursday, a half-hour before partial eclipse.<\/p>\n
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In a lunar eclipse, the full moon passes through the shadow cast by Earth. The shadow has two parts \u2014 the outer penumbra and inner umbra. The atmosphere bends light from all the sunrises and sunsets around the edge of the planet into the umbral shadow and colors the moon orange and red. <\/p>\n
Contributed \/ NASA<\/p>\n
Earth’s shadow has two parts \u2014 the dark, inner core called the umbra, where the bulk of the planet completely blocks the sun from shining on the moon \u2014 and an outer penumbra. In the penumbra, Earth only partially blocks the sun, so the shadow is a blend of darkness and filtered sunlight. Compared to the inky umbra it’s pale and gray.<\/p>\n
From about 9 to 9:30 p.m. you’ll notice that the left (east) side of the moon looks slightly darker, kind of smudged. That’s the penumbral shadow. The moon moves through it first and then into the umbra. Starting at 9:33 p.m. the umbra takes its first “nibble”. It’s much darker and very obvious. The bite grows larger and deeper by the minute as the moon hastens into the shadow. Maximum eclipse occurs at 11:12 p.m.<\/p>\n
Well before, you’ll notice that the shadowed part of the moon isn’t black but orange, rusty red or burnt sienna. Light from all the sunsets and sunrises that ring the globe is bent (refracted) by the atmosphere. It spills into the shadow and faintly illuminates the eclipsed moon in warm sunset-sunrise hues. Were there no atmosphere, the eclipsed moon would be a black disk silhouetted against the stars and nigh impossible to see. The color varies at each eclipse depending on the state of Earth’s atmosphere. Volcanic eruptions and major wildfires contribute to variations in both hue and brightness, making each eclipse unique.<\/p>\n
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The stars and Milky Way fill the sky during the total eclipse of Sept. 27, 2015. We’ll have a similar view, especially from country skies, during Thursday’s deep partial eclipse. <\/p>\n
Contributed \/ Bob King<\/p>\n
As the moon silently slips into shadow, the sky gets darker, and the stars and Milky Way make a brief return. This transition into and out of darkness has always been one of my favorite aspects of lunar eclipses. The partial eclipse ends at 12:51 a.m. (Aug. 28), but you’ll still see the lingering penumbral shadow up to a half-hour after. <\/p>\n
Find some comfy chairs, wake the kids up, and join in the grand alignment.<\/p>\n
![\"Bob](\"https:\/\/cdn.forumcomm.com\/dims4\/default\/be82cda\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/648x648+108+0\/resize\/100x100!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffcc-cue-exports-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2Fduluthnewstribune%2Fbinary%2Fbob%20king%20mug_binary_7073070.jpg\")
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