For the first time since 2022 & from 2:30am on the morning of Monday the 8th of September we will be treated to a total lunar eclipse that will continue through to 1st Light in the dawn sky.
From that time you will see an increasingly large bite being taken out of the moon as it enters the earths deep Umbral shadow.
Totality will begin from 3:30 am reaching its maximum eclipse around 4:10am and continue in totality right through till 4:50am.
You will then see the reverse of the “bite” as the moon moves back out of the shadow, returning to partial eclipse.
You often hear a total lunar eclipse described as the blood or copper moon. So why is this ?
As the moon moves into the earths umbral shadow only the red light of the sun filters through the thin layer of the earths atmosphere, giving the moon its red colour.
By 5:55am the partial eclipse ends as the sky starts to brighten and the show is over.
What’s the best way to view this Eclipse? Well it’s an awesome sight with the naked eye. But is also quite special with a quality pair of Binoculars or low powered wide field telescope. I have found that a large telescope at high magnification diminishes the effect, so avoid that.
Well worth seeing, so get an early start or do an all nighter and take in the wonder of a total Lunar eclipse !
