On the night of August 27-28, a deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible across Canada. This event follows the total solar eclipse seen in Iceland, Spain, and a small part of Portugal about two weeks ago.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as its umbra. Before entering the umbra, the moon first moves through the penumbra, a dim outer shadow that is challenging to see with the naked eye due to its low brightness.
Most parts of Canada will witness the entire eclipse duration, with Western Canada catching a glimpse of the partial eclipse as the moon rises.
Unlike solar eclipses, protective eyewear is not required to observe a lunar eclipse. The event unfolds over hours, offering a longer viewing experience compared to the brief moments of a solar eclipse.
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. on August 28. The deepest part of the eclipse is expected at 12:13 a.m., with the moon appearing significantly darkened.
This lunar eclipse is just one of several celestial events occurring this month. According to Elaina Hyde, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University in Toronto, August has been a remarkable month for astronomical events, including the recent partial solar eclipse on August 12, the Perseids meteor shower, and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction.
While this eclipse is partial and may not result in a “blood moon,” observers in Canada can still expect a reddish hue. Binoculars, a small telescope, or a smartphone with a quality night mode can enhance the viewing experience and facilitate capturing impressive images during the event.