Because of this, the Moon's northeastern edge will remain much brighter than the deep red that is typically seen all across the eclipsed Moon's face. You only need your eyes to see the drama unfold during a total lunar eclipse, though the view is enhanced when seen through binoculars or a small backyard telescope.Īpril 4th's total eclipse is unusual in that the Moon just barely skims through Earth's inner shadow, the umbra, and then only briefly. The southern half (lower left) of the disk, nearest the outer edge of Earth's inner shadow, is relatively bright. What to Look For From Simi Valley, California, December 2011's totally eclipsed Moon hung just a few degrees above the western horizon. Unlike a total solar eclipse, which can only be seen from a narrow path across Earth's surface, a lunar eclipse can be watched from the entire half of the world facing the Moon at the time. For Australia, Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, the total eclipse occurs on the evening of April 4th. Meanwhile, from Hawai'i or New Zealand, the eclipse happens deep in the night and high in the sky. New England misses even the earliest partial phase. For the eastern half of North America, the Moon sets and the Sun rises before the total phase even begins. Skywatchers in the Plains states will find dawn growing bright and the Moon sinking low in the west around totality. (See also the diagram and map at the end.) Weather permitting, those near the West Coast will have the best view, with the total phase of the eclipse happening when the Moon is still fairly high in a dark sky before dawn even begins. The timetable below tells what to expect at your location and when. And once again most will need to look low in the west as dawn brightens - lower, in fact, than last time. This dramatic sequence can be seen on Saturday, April 4th - if you're looking from the right part of the world at the right time.Īs was the case last October 8th, this weekend's lunar eclipse favors westerners in the U.S. Then events undo themselves in reverse order, until the Moon returns to full brilliance. Earth's shadow gradually intrudes across the face of the full Moon until the entire lunar disk glows dim orange or red. Whenever the Sun, Earth, and Moon form a near-perfect lineup in space, the Moon glides through Earth's deepest shadow - creating a total lunar eclipse. The eclipse happens on Saturday evening for Australia and East Asia. For more information, please direct your readers/viewers to our online story about the eclipse ( not to this press release).Īn unusually brief total eclipse of the Moon will be visible before dawn this Saturday, April 4th, from western North America. 85 x22168, Note to Editors/Producers: This release is accompanied by high-quality graphics see the end of this release.
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