Two eclipses will occur on the astronomical calendar over the next two weeks. The real deal, of course. Great North American Eclipse on April 8 It will extend from the Pacific coast of Mexico to Texas, the southern and eastern parts of the United States and Atlantic Canada, and end over the northern Atlantic Ocean.
However, two weeks before the total solar eclipse, on the night of March 24-25, it will be the Moon’s turn to eclipse; It’s the beginning of the big event that will come our way at the beginning of April. The last full moon before a total solar eclipse, March’s Worm Moon, will quietly enter Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra.
The continents of North and South America are in the best position to see this lunar eclipse, as it occurs high in the sky on the night of March 24 as it transitions into March 25. It will take 4 hours and 40 minutes for the Moon to float in the faint. The outer edge of the Earth’s shadow (penumbra) never reaches the dark shadow of the shadow.
Relating to: March full moon 2024: Worm Moon eclipsed
Read more: Lunar eclipses 2024: When, where and how will they be seen?
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Both lunar and solar eclipses are of course interrelated. A solar eclipse can only occur when the Moon is at a nodal point in its orbit. (The nodes are two points, called the ecliptic, where the Moon’s path in the sky intersects the Sun’s path). During the solar eclipse on April 8, the Moon will cross the eclipse from south to north. However, half an orbit before, on March 24-25, the Moon will cross the opposite node from north to south and encounter the Earth’s shadow. The time period in which this geometry can allow eclipses to occur is called the “eclipse season” and in this case runs from March 16 to April 23. All of this is a good example of how eclipse season works.
In this particular case The moon will enter very deep into the penumbra. In fact, at the time of deepest phase/maximum eclipse (7:12 UT), the penumbra will reach an extent of 95.8 percent across the lunar disk. In other words, the lowest part of the moon would be 282 miles (453 km) from the unseen edge of the Earth’s shadow.
However, penumbra eclipses are quite subtle events and are often difficult to detect; the shadow is pale. In fact, initial contact with the penumbra is nearly impossible to detect. But after just over an hour, those with extremely keen perception could detect a very faint shadow on the lower left side of the moon.
For about half an hour either side of the time of maximum eclipse, at least 70 percent of the moon’s diameter will be in shadow; a significant reduction in light corresponding to a “smeared” or “dirty” appearance; In this case, the slight grayness at the bottom of the moon will be visible quite clearly.
But frankly, it’s not a very encouraging event.
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Our timeline below gives moments of the eclipse’s major events for five time zones: Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, and Hawaiian. All times are for the calendar date March 25, except when accompanied by an asterisk
In this case, the calendar date would be March 24.
Maximum darkening for the eastern United States will occur approximately a few hours before dawn on March 25. It will be just after midnight on the West Coast, and mid to late evening for Alaska and Hawaii. hours on Sunday, March 24.
Penumbral eclipse from the Moon
It may be easier to understand why Earth’s penumbral shadow is so faint by imagining that you were actually on the Moon when Monday’s event occurred. An astronaut on the moon during this time would see a solar eclipse, but this would depend on where on the moon our hypothetical moonwalker is located.
Near the top of the Moon is the region known as Mare Frigoris – the “Cold Sea”. From here, the Earth’s skyline will appear to have received a small notch at the top of the sun; not enough to cause a noticeable light reduction in the surrounding lunar landscape. Therefore, the upper part of the full moon will appear to shine normally.
In contrast, the Earth would appear to occupy more than nine-tenths of the sun’s diameter, as seen from the famous bright lunar impact crater Tycho, whose rays appear like a sunflower on the southern part of the moon; as a result, the bright sunlight of the surrounding lunar landscape will become much more gloomy.
The moon looks a little darker as it passes over the Earth’s shadow
Upcoming attractions Another lunar eclipse is planned for later this summer. On the evening of September 17,the moon will slip through the lower part of the earth’s shadow
its uppermost arm delivers a stunning blow to Earth’s dark shadow. At the largest eclipse, 8.5 percent of the moon’s diameter will be in the shadow, giving the impression that the moon’s crown is slightly collapsed. Next year, the moon will undergo a change on the night of March 13-14, 2025. Total eclipse. for 65 minutes,The Moon will be completely buried in the Earth’s shadow
; always a very interesting and often colorful show. The Americas will once again be at ringside, with all the action taking place high in the late winter sky; In the pre-dawn hours in the East and around midnight in the West.
Mark your calendars!
If you’re interested in taking photos of a full moon penumbra lunar eclipse, check out our helpful guide on how to photograph the moon for the best moon photography tips and tricks. If you need to prepare for this or other celestial events, we also have guides to the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography. Joe Rao is an instructor and visiting professor in New YorkHayden Planetarium . writes about astronomyNatural History magazine , Farmer’s Almanac