Eclipse for the Fourth, but Don’t Expect Too Much
Greetings Skywatchers!
As you may have heard, there is indeed a penumbral lunar eclipse this Saturday night into Sunday. However, please also be aware that this penumbral eclipse is very partial. A penumbral eclipse is only a secondary shadow of Earth cast on the Moon, so unless you have a way to measure lunar brightness it will not be very noticeable if at all. In most circumstances, eclipses are spectacular events, be it lunar or solar. However, penumbral eclipses fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. Typically, the main part of an eclipse, the umbra, or main shadow, will cast a darkness over the object being eclipsed. Due to geometric shapes not only are shadows caused by a light blockage from a direct line between edges of objects, but a less significant shadow is created by opposite edges of the shape. This “cross-shadowing” creates two very indirect secondary shadows on either side of the main shadow. In our case, Earth’s shadow will not intersect the Moon at all as the Moon revolves around Earth, but the Moon will pass through one of the much fainter bands on its way by.
Bottom line is that there will be no “Blood” Moon, nor will it appear as though a “bite” was taken from the Moon. There will just be a very slight dimming of the surface. Here is more information, to see what to expect in detail. Also remember, eclipses occur in pairs and two weeks ago there was a “ring” or annular eclipse over Africa and India while we slept. In rare cases, we get three eclipses while the alignment is present. As an example, a penumbral lunar eclipse also occurred last month.
The next total lunar eclipse for Buffalo will occur on May 15-16, 2022.
The next total solar eclipse for Buffalo will take place on April 8, 2024 (This means that we are in the path of totality). The last time Buffalo was in direct line with the Sun and Moon was January 24, 1925 (over 99 years before), and we were clouded over at 9:11 AM. The next total solar eclipse for Buffalo will happen on October 26, 2144 at 1:12 PM.
Tim Collins
BAA Member
Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium
Williamsville Space Lab Planetarium