Lunar Eclipse Across NZ Tonight

Sky watchers get your cameras and binoculars for a lunar eclipse tonight (tues)

A lunar eclipse happens when the moon travels through the Earth’s shadow. If the moon only partly makes it into the shadow, that’s a partial eclipse. In a total eclipse, the moon becomes fully immersed and takes on a reddish/orange glow.

In Tonight’s eclipse the period of totality – when the moon is fully immersed in shadow – will last a leisurely 85 minutes. The partial eclipse should commence a few minutes after 10 with the eclipse peak just on midnight.

Moon will take on a red hue as light reaching it passes through dust in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The only light reaching the moon’s surface will first pass through the Earth’s atmosphere. That’s why it’ll take on the reddish hue. Just how red that that is depends on how dusty the Earth’s atmosphere is. (theguardian.com)

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to look at.

Here’s hoping for clear skies for tonight. If you miss it, the next lunar eclipse will occur in 2025.