November's Near-Total Lunar Eclipse

November 2021  :  Francine Jackson

Although not as flashy as the much touted total solar eclipse, every so often we find ourselves able to observe another unique phenomenon: a total lunar eclipse. These, of course, differ from the solar eclipse in many ways:

First of all, for the most part, the observer doesn’t have to make plans to travel wherever the eclipse decides to land on the Earth, as there is always a 50/50 chance to see it: If you can see the Moon, the eclipse is available for you;

A total solar eclipse can only be observed by a person within the “path of totality,” where the Moon’s shadow strikes the Earth. With a lunar eclipse, the Moon is passing through the Earth’s shadow, which is larger than the Moon’s, allowing many more people to watch it;

As the Moon is necessary to be near the Sun - in the same direction in the sky - to cause a solar eclipse, the Moon is in its New phase, resulting in its occurring during daylight; Lunar eclipses, because they happen during a full Moon, which is on the opposite side of the sky as the Sun, take place at night;

As the Full Moon’s light is reflective sunlight, it can be seen by just about anyone without causing observing problems. No protective eye protection is necessary;

Finally, lunar eclipses last longer. While the longest ever total solar eclipse lasts just about seven minutes, the normal total lunar eclipse can be observed, on average, close to an hour.

We’re fortunate to be having an almost total lunar eclipse occur this month, on November 19, as about 97% of the Moon will pass within the Earth’s shadow. As there will be just a tiny sliver of Moon still directly lit by sunlight, for us it will appear almost totally eclipsed. Unfortunately, it is occurring in the middle of the night for us here; however, we can be sure there will be dedicated observers willing to watch it in its entirety.