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This Saturday, get ready for an awe-inspiring show in the night sky as a partial lunar eclipse takes place. During this event, sky-gazers in Europe, Africa, Asia, and western Australia will witness a captivating sight of Earth’s shadow reflected on the moon. From 3:34 p.m. to 4:52 p.m. ET, the moon will appear as if a bite has been taken out of it.
Accompanying the partial eclipse is a penumbral eclipse, starting at 2:01 p.m. ET, causing the moon to slightly dim due to Earth’s outer shadow, known as the penumbra. Eventually, the moon will be partially eclipsed by the inner and darker shadow, called the umbra. People along the eastern coasts of North and South America will catch a glimpse of the tail end of the penumbral eclipse, which ends at 6:26 p.m. ET.
Although the moon won’t turn red like in a total lunar eclipse, the partial eclipse promises an easily observable and equipment-free display. Dr. Shannon Schmoll, director of the Abrams Planetarium, assures that sky-watchers on the night side of Earth will have a clear view. While telescopes and observatories offer a closer look at the details, they are not essential for viewing the eclipse.
This partial lunar eclipse coincides with the hunter’s moon, October’s full moon, traditionally warning hunters of the impending cold winter months. Lunar eclipses only occur during a full moon when the sun, Earth, and moon align in a specific way. A precise alignment places the moon in Earth’s shadow, cast from the sun, giving rise to a lunar eclipse. Total lunar eclipses occur when the moon is fully within Earth’s shadow, while partial lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through only part of Earth’s shadow.
Due to the moon and Earth’s orbits, an average of two lunar eclipses occur each year. The previous lunar eclipse, a penumbral eclipse, occurred in May, when the moon dimmed while entering Earth’s outer shadow. The next lunar eclipse will take place in March 2024.
Lunar and solar eclipses often come in pairs, as solar eclipses require the moon to be in its new moon phase. The partial lunar eclipse follows a recent annular solar eclipse that created a “ring of fire” in the Americas. Dr. Schmoll reflects on the significance of these events, emphasizing how they offer a rare opportunity to view Earth from a different perspective and serve as a reminder of our place in the universe.
During the partial lunar eclipse, keep an eye out for Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus, which will also be visible to those on the night side of Earth. These celestial events provide additional reasons to appreciate the night sky for the remainder of the year. Don’t miss the upcoming Orionid meteor shower, which lasts until November 22, as well as other meteor shower peaks, including the Southern Taurids, Northern Taurids, Leonids, Geminids, and Ursids.
Mark your calendars for future celestial events. The next lunar eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse, will be visible in North America on March 25, 2024. Two weeks later, on April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will also be visible in North America.
While this weekend’s partial lunar eclipse marks the last eclipse of 2023, there’s still plenty to look forward to in the night sky. Take note of the remaining full moons on November 27 (Beaver moon) and December 26 (Cold moon). Stay informed with more CNN news and newsletters by creating an account at CNN.com.
