Introduction

What is an eclipse of the Moon? What causes eclipses and why? How often do
eclipses happen and when is the next eclipse of the Moon? You'll learn the
answers to these questions and more in MrEclipse's primer on lunar eclipses.

The Moon is a cold, rocky body about 2,160 miles (3,476 km) in diameter. It
has no light of its own but shines by sunlight reflected from its surface. The
Moon orbits Earth about once every 29 and a half days. As it circles our
planet, the changing position of the Moon with respect to the Sun causes our
natural satellite to cycle through a series of phases:

New Moon > New Crescent > First Quarter > Waxing Gibbous> Full Moon >

Waning Gibbous > Last Quarter > Old Crescent > New Moon (again)

The phase known as New Moon can not actually be seen because the
illuminated side of the Moon is then pointed away from Earth. The rest of the
phases are familiar to all of us as the Moon cycles through them month after
month. Did you realize that the word month is derived from the Moon's 29.5
day period?

To many of us, Full Moon is the phase of love and romance. When the Moon is
Full, it rises at sunset and is visible all night long. At the end of the night, the
Full Moon sets just as the Sun rises. None of the Moon's other phases have
this unique characteristic. It happens because the Moon is directly opposite
the Sun in the sky when the Moon is Full. Full Moon also has special
significance with regard to eclipses.

Types of Lunar Eclipses

An eclipse of the Moon (or lunar eclipse) can only occur at Full Moon, and only
if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. That shadow is
actually composed of two cone-shaped components, one nested inside the
other. The outer or penumbral shadow is a zone where the Earth blocks part
but not all of the Sun's rays from reaching the Moon. In contrast, the inner or
umbral shadow is a region where the Earth blocks all direct sunlight from
reaching the Moon.

Astronomers recognize three basic types of lunar eclipses:

1. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

The Moon passes through Earth's penumbral shadow.

These events are of only academic interest because they are subtle and hard
to observe.

(click for photo example)

2. Partial Lunar Eclipse

A portion of the Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.

These events are easy to see, even with the unaided eye.

(click for photo example)

3. Total Lunar Eclipse

The entire Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.

These events are quite striking due to the Moon's vibrant red color during the
total phase (totality).

(click for photo example)

Now you might be wondering "If the Moon orbits Earth every 29.5 days and
lunar eclipses only occur at Full Moon, then why don't we have an eclipse
once a month during Full Moon?". I'm glad you asked! You see, the Moon's
orbit around Earth is actually tipped about 5 degrees to Earth's orbit around
the Sun. This means that the Moon spends most of the time either above or
below the plane of Earth's orbit. And the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun
is important because Earth's shadows lie exactly in the same plane. During
Full Moon, our natural satellite usually passes above or below Earth's
shadows and misses them entirely. No eclipse takes place. But two to four
times each year, the Moon passes through some portion of the Earth's
penumbral or umbral shadows and one of the above three types of eclipses
occurs.

When an eclipse of the Moon takes place, everyone on the night side of Earth
can see it. About 35% of all eclipses are of the penumbral type which are
very difficult to detect, even with a telescope. Another 30% are partial
eclipses which are easy to see with the unaided eye. The final 35% or so are
total eclipses, and these are quite extrordinary events to behold.

What is the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse? A solar
eclipse is an eclipse of the Sun. It happens when the Moon passes between
the Earth and the Sun. This is only possible when the Moon is in the New
Moon phase. For more information, see Solar Eclipses for Beginners.

Types of Lunar Eclipses

An eclipse of the Moon (or lunar eclipse) can only occur at Full Moon, and only
if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. That shadow is
actually composed of two cone-shaped components, one nested inside the
other. The outer or penumbral shadow is a zone where the Earth blocks part
but not all of the Sun's rays from reaching the Moon. In contrast, the inner or
umbral shadow is a region where the Earth blocks all direct sunlight from
reaching the Moon.

Astronomers recognize three basic types of lunar eclipses:

1. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

The Moon passes through Earth's penumbral shadow.

These events are of only academic interest because they are subtle and hard
to observe.

(click for photo example)

2. Partial Lunar Eclipse

A portion of the Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.

These events are easy to see, even with the unaided eye.

(click for photo example)

3. Total Lunar Eclipse

The entire Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.

These events are quite striking due to the Moon's vibrant red color during the
total phase (totality).

(click for photo example)

Now you might be wondering "If the Moon orbits Earth every 29.5 days and
lunar eclipses only occur at Full Moon, then why don't we have an eclipse
once a month during Full Moon?". I'm glad you asked! You see, the Moon's
orbit around Earth is actually tipped about 5 degrees to Earth's orbit around
the Sun. This means that the Moon spends most of the time either above or
below the plane of Earth's orbit. And the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun
is important because Earth's shadows lie exactly in the same plane. During
Full Moon, our natural satellite usually passes above or below Earth's
shadows and misses them entirely. No eclipse takes place. But two to four
times each year, the Moon passes through some portion of the Earth's
penumbral or umbral shadows and one of the above three types of eclipses
occurs.

When an eclipse of the Moon takes place, everyone on the night side of Earth
can see it. About 35% of all eclipses are of the penumbral type which are
very difficult to detect, even with a telescope. Another 30% are partial
eclipses which are easy to see with the unaided eye. The final 35% or so are
total eclipses, and these are quite extrordinary events to behold.

What is the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse? A solar
eclipse is an eclipse of the Sun. It happens when the Moon passes between
the Earth and the Sun. This is only possible when the Moon is in the New
Moon phase. For more information, see Solar Eclipses for Beginners.

Types of Lunar Eclipses

An eclipse of the Moon (or lunar eclipse) can only occur at Full Moon, and only
if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. That shadow is
actually composed of two cone-shaped components, one nested inside the
other. The outer or penumbral shadow is a zone where the Earth blocks part
but not all of the Sun's rays from reaching the Moon. In contrast, the inner or
umbral shadow is a region where the Earth blocks all direct sunlight from
reaching the Moon.

Astronomers recognize three basic types of lunar eclipses:

1. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

The Moon passes through Earth's penumbral shadow.

These events are of only academic interest because they are subtle and hard
to observe.

(click for photo example)

2. Partial Lunar Eclipse

A portion of the Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.

These events are easy to see, even with the unaided eye.

(click for photo example)

3. Total Lunar Eclipse

The entire Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.

These events are quite striking due to the Moon's vibrant red color during the
total phase (totality).

(click for photo example)

Now you might be wondering "If the Moon orbits Earth every 29.5 days and
lunar eclipses only occur at Full Moon, then why don't we have an eclipse
once a month during Full Moon?". I'm glad you asked! You see, the Moon's
orbit around Earth is actually tipped about 5 degrees to Earth's orbit around
the Sun. This means that the Moon spends most of the time either above or
below the plane of Earth's orbit. And the plane of Earth's orbit around the Sun
is important because Earth's shadows lie exactly in the same plane. During
Full Moon, our natural satellite usually passes above or below Earth's
shadows and misses them entirely. No eclipse takes place. But two to four
times each year, the Moon passes through some portion of the Earth's
penumbral or umbral shadows and one of the above three types of eclipses
occurs.

When an eclipse of the Moon takes place, everyone on the night side of Earth
can see it. About 35% of all eclipses are of the penumbral type which are
very difficult to detect, even with a telescope. Another 30% are partial
eclipses which are easy to see with the unaided eye. The final 35% or so are
total eclipses, and these are quite extrordinary events to behold.

What is the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse? A solar
eclipse is an eclipse of the Sun. It happens when the Moon passes between
the Earth and the Sun. This is only possible when the Moon is in the New
Moon phase. For more information, see Solar Eclipses for Beginners.

Why is the Moon Red During a Total Lunar Eclipse?

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks the Sun's light from reaching the
Moon. Astronauts on the Moon would then see the Earth completely eclipse
the Sun. (They would see a bright red ring around the Earth as they watched
all the sunrises and sunsets happening simultaneousely around the world!)
While the Moon remains completely within Earth's umbral shadow, indirect
sunlight still manages to reach and illuminate it. However, this sunlight must
first pass deep through the Earth's atmosphere which filters out most of the
blue colored light. The remaining light is a deep red or orange in color and is
much dimmer than pure white sunlight. Earth's atmosphere also bends or
refracts some of this light so that a small fraction of it can reach and
illuminate the Moon.

The total phase of a lunar eclipse is so interesting and beautiful precisely

because of the filtering and refracting effect of Earth's atmosphere. If the
Earth had no atmosphere, then the Moon would be completely black during a
total eclipse. Instead, the Moon can take on a range of colors from dark
brown and red to bright orange and yellow. The exact appearance depends
on how much dust and clouds are present in Earth's atmosphere. Total
eclipses tend to be very dark after major volcanic eruptions since these
events dump large amounts of volcanic ash into Earth's atmosphere. During
the total lunar eclipse of December 1992, dust from Mount Pinatubo rendered
the Moon nearly invisible.

All total eclipses start with a penumbral followed by a partial eclipse, and end
with a partial followed by a penumbral eclipse (the total eclipse is
sandwiched in the middle). The penumbral phases of the eclipse are quite
difficult to see, even with a telescope. However, partial and total eclipses are
easy to observe, even with the naked eye.

Why is the Moon Red During a Total Lunar Eclipse?

During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks the Sun's light from reaching the
Moon. Astronauts on the Moon would then see the Earth completely eclipse
the Sun. (They would see a bright red ring around the Earth as they watched
all the sunrises and sunsets happening simultaneousely around the world!)
While the Moon remains completely within Earth's umbral shadow, indirect
sunlight still manages to reach and illuminate it. However, this sunlight must
first pass deep through the Earth's atmosphere which filters out most of the
blue colored light. The remaining light is a deep red or orange in color and is
much dimmer than pure white sunlight. Earth's atmosphere also bends or
refracts some of this light so that a small fraction of it can reach and
illuminate the Moon.

The total phase of a lunar eclipse is so interesting and beautiful precisely

because of the filtering and refracting effect of Earth's atmosphere. If the
Earth had no atmosphere, then the Moon would be completely black during a
total eclipse. Instead, the Moon can take on a range of colors from dark
brown and red to bright orange and yellow. The exact appearance depends
on how much dust and clouds are present in Earth's atmosphere. Total
eclipses tend to be very dark after major volcanic eruptions since these
events dump large amounts of volcanic ash into Earth's atmosphere. During
the total lunar eclipse of December 1992, dust from Mount Pinatubo rendered
the Moon nearly invisible.
All total eclipses start with a penumbral followed by a partial eclipse, and end
with a partial followed by a penumbral eclipse (the total eclipse is
sandwiched in the middle). The penumbral phases of the eclipse are quite
difficult to see, even with a telescope. However, partial and total eclipses are
easy to observe, even with the naked eye.

Eclipses of the Moon: 2009 - 2015

Date Eclipse Type Umbral Magnitude Eclipse Duration Geographic Region

of Eclipse Visibility

2009 Feb 09 Penumbral -0.088- e Europe, Asia, Aus., Pacific, w N.A.

2009 Jul 07 Penumbral -0.913- Aus., Pacific, Americas

2009 Aug 06 Penumbral -0.666- Americas, Europe, Africa, w Asia

2009 Dec 31 Partial0.076 01h02m Europe, Africa, Asia, Aus.

2010 Jun 26 Partial0.537 02h43m e Asia, Aus., Pacific, w Americas

2010 Dec 21 Total 1.256 03h29m

01h12m e Asia, Aus., Pacific, Americas, Europe

2011 Jun 15 Total 1.700 03h40m

01h40m S.America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Aus.

2011 Dec 10 Total 1.106 03h32m

00h51m Europe, e Africa, Asia, Aus., Pacific, N.A.

2012 Jun 04 Partial0.370 02h07m Asia, Aus., Pacific, Americas

2012 Nov 28 Penumbral -0.187- Europe, e Africa, Asia, Aus., Pacific,

N.A.

2013 Apr 25 Partial0.015 00h27m Europe, Africa, Asia, Aus.

2013 May 25Penumbral -0.934- Americas, Africa

2013 Oct 18 Penumbral -0.272- Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia

2014 Apr 15 Total 1.291 03h35m

01h18m Aus., Pacific, Americas

2014 Oct 08 Total 1.166 03h20m

00h59m Asia, Aus., Pacific, Americas

2015 Apr 04 Total 1.001 03h29m

00h05m Asia, Aus., Pacific, Americas

2015 Sep 28 Total 1.276 03h20m

01h12m e Pacific, Americas, Europe, Africa, w Asia

Geographic abreviations (used above): n = north, s = south, e = east, w =

west, c = central