Devendra Kumar
Australia and Asia had the best seats for the year’s first lunar eclipse as the moon slipped into the fringes of Earth’s shadow, a development that caused the moon to dim only slightly, a phenomenon known as a penumbral lunar eclipse. This type of eclipse is not as dramatic as a partial or total lunar eclipse, when the moon, Earth, and sun are perfectly aligned.
The four-hour eclipse was visible from beginning to end, weather permitting, from as far west as Saudi Arabia and Africa’s western coast, to as far east as Japan and New Zealand’s South Island, and from the South Pole to Siberia. In fact, it was visible across almost all of Europe, where the Virtual Telescope Project planned to livestream the moon rising over the countryside in Tuscany, Italy. “Even subtle astronomical events like this one make me excited and happy to share them,” said astrophysicist Gianluca Masi, the project’s founder.
The next lunar eclipse in October will put on a better display, with the eastern portions of both Americas getting to see at least part of a partial lunar eclipse, when some but not all of the moon passes through the Earth’s dark, central shadow. Asia, Africa, and Europe will be treated to the whole show. However, a total lunar eclipse, where the entire moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, is not due until 2025, with North America and the western half of South America in front-row seats.