On the night of August 27-28, a significant partial lunar eclipse will be visible nationwide. Following the recent total solar eclipse witnessed in Iceland, Spain, and a portion of Portugal, this upcoming eclipse will offer a deep experience with 93% coverage at its peak. Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra, after moving through the outer, fainter shadow called the penumbra. While the penumbra phase is challenging to observe with the naked eye due to its dimness, the lunar eclipse will be observable across most of Canada, with Western Canada catching the partial eclipse as the moon rises.
Unlike solar eclipses that require protective eyewear, lunar eclipses can be enjoyed without any special equipment. This night-long event offers a prolonged viewing experience compared to the fleeting moments of a solar eclipse. The eclipse will kick off as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, with the visible phase beginning at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27 and concluding at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The eclipse will reach its deepest point at 12:13 a.m., rendering most of the moon darkened.
This eclipse adds to the series of astronomical events unfolding this month, as highlighted by Elaina Hyde, director of York University’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory’s physics and astronomy department in Toronto. The celestial events in August include a partial solar eclipse on August 12, the Perseids meteor shower, and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction.
Regarding the eclipse’s appearance, while it may not result in a full “blood moon,” certain regions in Canada are expected to witness a reddish hue. Lunar eclipses present a unique opportunity for observation as they can be enjoyed with the naked eye, or enhanced with binoculars, a small telescope, or a smartphone camera with a reliable night mode for capturing impressive images.