On the night of August 27-28, a deep partial lunar eclipse will be visible throughout Canada. This event follows the total solar eclipse observed in Iceland, Spain, and a portion of Portugal about two weeks ago. Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as its umbra, after first passing through the penumbra, Earth’s outer, dimmer shadow. This makes it challenging to see with the naked eye due to its dimness.
Most regions of Canada will witness the entire eclipse duration, with Western Canada catching the partial eclipse as the moon rises. Unlike solar eclipses, no protective eyewear is required to view the lunar eclipse. Additionally, lunar eclipses last for hours, unlike the brief duration of solar eclipses.
The eclipse will commence as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, but actual visibility starts at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27, concluding at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The deepest eclipse phase will occur at 12:13 a.m., darkening almost the entire moon. This eclipse is one of several celestial events happening this month.
Elaina Hyde, director of the Allan I. Carswell Observatory at York University’s department of physics and astronomy in Toronto, mentioned the exciting astronomical events in August. While this lunar eclipse is partial and may not turn entirely red, it is expected to exhibit a significant red hue in various parts of Canada. Lunar eclipses can be observed with the naked eye, but using binoculars, a small telescope, or a camera with good night mode can enhance the viewing experience.