A total lunar eclipse can be seen in the Canadian sky overnight Sunday through Monday.
It can also be seen from parts of the continents of America, Europe and Africa.
An eclipse occurs when light from one celestial object temporarily blocks another celestial body.
Thus, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon. But Earth’s natural satellite does not completely disappear when the eclipse is total. A small portion of the Sun’s light is filtered and deflected by the Earth’s atmosphere, and this light manages to reach the surface of the Moon, appearing orange-red.
The phenomenon occurs only when the Moon is full and it is on the opposite side of the Sun with respect to the Earth.
The Moon will enter the Earth’s penumbra at 9:33 pm ET. At this stage, however, the change in light will be very subtle and difficult to see with the naked eye.
From 10:29 pm, the phenomenon will begin to become perceptible and can be partially observed. At this stage, the left side of the lunar disk will begin to darken. After a few minutes, this dark part will cover more of the face of the Moon. The total eclipse will occur between 11:30 pm and 12:55 am when the Moon is completely in the shadow of the Earth. The eclipse will rise at 12:11 am
Unlike the solar eclipse, the lunar eclipse poses no danger for direct observation, whether through the eye or telescope.
The last total lunar eclipse was in January 2019.
On average, there are two lunar eclipses per year, but some years can take up to five.
The next total solar eclipse to be seen from Canada will occur on April 8, 2024.
Source: Radio-Canada
