We have a partial lunar eclipse coming up on Thursday, August 27 that will be visible from Tucson! It will be in the evening, at a convenient time that is not too late. While it is not a total eclipse, at maximum about 96% of the Moon's area will be in the Earth's umbra, or inner shadow. There will be just a tiny sliver that remains in the penumbra, or outer shadow. You can expect to see something like the photo at right, taken during a similar eclipse in 2008. (Actually, that one only got up to 84%, so we'll see a little more coverage.)
Our next lunar eclipse visible from Tucson will be a penumbral one in August 2027, then a partial one in January 2028. The next total lunar eclipse we'll see will be in June 2029.
Here is the schedule:
- Penumbral eclipse starts: 6:23 pm (not visible)
- Moon rises 6:45 pm
- Partial eclipse starts: 7:33 pm
- Maximum eclipse: 9:12 pm
- Partial eclipse ends: 10:51 pm
- Penumbral eclipse ends: 12:01 am
Penumbral phase is very subtle, just slightly dimmer than a normal full moon, as the Earth is blocking only some of the sunlight from the Moon. Then partial is more noticeable as the Moon begins to enter Earth's umbra, where all of the light is blocked. It will look like someone has taken a bite out of the Moon. While we won't get to see the full effect of a total eclipse, there may be enough coverage that you can see a reddish tint in the darkest part of the shadow, which comes from the glow of sunrises and sunsets around the globe!
A lunar eclipse is something that can be enjoyed either with the naked eye or with a telescope. So however you view the eclipse, enjoy!
Science Snacks – Space Bites – All About Lunar Eclipses
Discover how and why Lunar Eclipses occur!
Note: This video references the penumbral eclipse of November 2020.