SHORT INTRODUCTION ABOUT LUNAR ECLIPSE
In our last blog we discussed lunar eclipse in detail. So here we will discuss in detail about different types of lunar eclipse. In general, we know that a lunar eclipse happens when, Earth gets in the way of the sun’s light hitting the Moon. An eclipse of the Moon can be witnessed under comparable conditions wherever on the Earth where the Moon is above the horizon. We can see a lunar eclipse on every new moon, and it can last between half an hour and more than an hour. There are three types of lunar eclipse: total, partial, and penumbral. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon is completely covered by Earth’s shadow and appears red, resulting in a “blood moon”. A partial eclipse covers a portion of the Moon, but a penumbral eclipse results in a mild dimming. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch from anyplace on Earth’s night side. They usually occur two to four times every year.
TYPES OF LUNAR ECLIPSES
Like solar eclipses, there are different types of lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipses can be divided into three parts according to the position of Earth and Moon. They are:
- Total Lunar Eclipse
- Partial Lunar Eclipse
- Pneumbral Lunar Eclipse
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
A total lunar eclipse is one of three types lunar eclipses where, Earth completely blocks the sunlight from reaching the Moon. This occurs when the moon passes directly behind Earth, causing a shadow to fall on the Moon. Unlike a solar eclipse, which is visible form a specific part of Earth, lunar eclipse can be observed from anywhere on the nightside of the planet. The Moon text on a reddish-brown hue during a total lunar eclipse, often known as a “blood moon”, because when sunlight passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, shorter wavelengths (such as blue and violet) scatter, allowing longer red wavelengths to bend and illuminate the Moon, giving it a reddish tint. Unlike solar eclipses, a total lunar eclipse can be seen from anyplace on the night side of the Earth as long as the sky are clear. Total lunar eclipses are fairly common, happening once every one to three years. They are visible with the naked eye and provide a beautiful picture as the Moon gradually transforms from its usual bright look to a deep red or orange glow during the totality phase.
PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
In the partial lunar eclipse, the moon and earth are not in perfect alignment, a partial lunar eclipse occurs as only a portion of the Moon passes through Earth’s shadow. This causes only part of the moon to be block from direct sunlight. The result is a partially darkened appearance of the Moon, with a clear boundary between the illuminated and shadowed sections. As the eclipse progresses, a distinct bite forms on the Moon’s surface, giving it a darkened appearance. A partial lunar eclipse, as opposed to a total lunar eclipse, which turns the entire Moon red, only darkens a portion of it while keeping the other parts bright. The amount of darkness depends on how much of the Moon is in the umbra. A partial lunar eclipse is visible from the night side of the Earth and lasts for a few hours. Although less impressive than a total lunar eclipse, it remains a fascinating display for sky-watchers. Partial eclipses are more common than total eclipses.
PNEUMBRAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
Turing a pneumbral lunar eclipse, it is the most common type of lunar eclipse, during this event the moon travels through the earth’s outer shadow, which is referred as the pneumbra. This shadow is noticeably fainter than the umbra, which is the central part of earth shadow. Consequently, the Moon’s brightness experience only a slide decrease during a pneumbral eclipse. Unlike total or partial lunar eclipses, penumbral eclipses are typically difficult to see with the naked eye due to the faint shading. The Moon may appear slightly greyish or dark, but it is totally visible entire the event. This type of eclipse occurs when the Earth, Sun, and Moon do not line perfectly, causing the Moon to skirt the Earth’s entire shadow. Penumbral lunar eclipses are more common than total or partial eclipses, although their subtlety makes them less visually appealing. Despite this, they remain of interest to astronomers and eclipse viewers because they represent a unique celestial alignment.
WHY THE MOON TURNS RED DURING A LUNAR ECLIPSE
During a lunar eclipse, the Moon appears red due to ‘Rayleigh scattering‘. As the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, it casts a shadow on it. However, some sunlight still reaches the Moon after passing through Earth’s atmosphere. The Earth’s atmosphere scatters shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and violet, whereas longer wavelengths, such as red and orange, pass through more easily. This scattered red light bends around the Earth and illuminates the Moon, giving it a reddish colour, sometimes known as a “Blood Moon.” The precise shade of red varies based on the amount of dust, clouds, or volcanic ash in the Earth’s atmosphere at the time. This spectacular show is the consequence of the same scattering mechanism that makes sunsets and sunrises appear red on Earth.