On the night of August 27-28, people across the country will have the opportunity to witness a partial lunar eclipse. This event follows closely after the recent total solar eclipse visible in Iceland, Spain, and a portion of Portugal. The upcoming partial lunar eclipse is expected to have a significant coverage of 93 per cent at its peak.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. Before entering the umbra, the moon traverses through the outer, fainter shadow called the penumbra, which is challenging to observe with the naked eye due to its dimness.
Most regions in Canada will have a clear view of the entire eclipse duration, while Western Canada will witness the partial eclipse already in progress as the moon rises. Unlike solar eclipses that require protective eyewear, lunar eclipses can be viewed without any special equipment. Additionally, lunar eclipses unfold over several hours rather than just a few minutes.
The lunar eclipse on August 27-28 will be visible across North and South America. The eclipse will commence as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, but the visible phase will start at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27 and conclude at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The deepest part of the eclipse, with nearly the entire moon darkened, is expected at 12:13 a.m.
This astronomical event is one of many captivating occurrences this month. Elaina Hyde, the director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University’s department of physics and astronomy in Toronto, highlighted the exciting astronomical events in August, including the partial solar eclipse on August 12, the Perseids meteor shower, and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction.
Although the upcoming eclipse is partial and may not result in a complete “blood moon,” viewers in Canada can still expect to see a reddish hue in certain areas. No special equipment is necessary to observe the lunar eclipse, but binoculars, a small telescope, or a smartphone with an excellent night mode can enhance the viewing experience and allow for capturing impressive images.
