{"id":12827,"date":"2022-05-07T05:00:39","date_gmt":"2022-05-07T03:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sciencefocus.com\/?p=118959"},"modified":"2022-05-07T05:27:15","modified_gmt":"2022-05-07T03:27:15","slug":"how-to-see-the-total-lunar-eclipse-this-may","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcsciencefocus\/rss_feed\/how-to-see-the-total-lunar-eclipse-this-may\/","title":{"rendered":"How to see the total lunar eclipse this May"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Holly Spanner\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 07 May 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Early risers will be rewarded with a lunar eclipse on 16 May 2022, when we\u2019ll be able to see the blood-red Moon just before sunrise here in the UK.<\/p>\n

But what time does the lunar eclipse take place? Why does the umbra and penumbra matter when we\u2019re talking about eclipses? And, why does the Moon turn red during a lunar eclipse? Answers to these questions, and more, are below.<\/p>\n

For those who missed it, you can check out our fantastic gallery of the best Wolf Moon pictures<\/a>, the first full Moon of 2022. If you\u2019re looking forward to clear nights this year, why not plan ahead with our full Moon UK calendar<\/a> and astronomy for beginners<\/a> guide?<\/p>\n

When will the lunar eclipse occur?<\/h2>\n

The total eclipse of the Moon will be visible from the UK on Monday 16 May 2022. The event begins at 2:32am BST in the UK, with totality starting at 4:29am BST. Totality will last for just under 85 minutes.<\/p>\n

The best time to settle down to watch the eclipse will be around 3:37 BST, at the start of the visual phase when Earth\u2019s umbra starts to traverse across the Moon (the penumbral phases are not visible). If we are provided with clear skies, the Moon will begin to turn red at this time.<\/p>\n

This is an animation of the total lunar eclipse on the 16 May 2022, as the Moon passes through the penumbra into the umbra and turn red as it reaches totality (UTC is one hour behind BST):<\/p>\n

\nhttps:\/\/media.immediate.co.uk\/volatile\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/umbracamutc2022052160p30-da2c44d.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

\u00a9 NASA\u2019s Scientific Visualization Studio<\/a><\/p>\n

At totality, which lasts for just under 85 minutes, the Moon will appear completely red and will be visible close to the horizon in the west-southwest. If we\u2019re lucky, it should provide an excellent opportunity for astrophotography.<\/p>\n

Just before moonset at 5:06am, the eclipse will reach its greatest magnitude while the Moon is still above the horizon. The true maximum won\u2019t be able to be seen from the UK, as from our perspective, the Moon will have dropped below the horizon.<\/p>\n

The Moon will set at 5:10am in the west-southwest.<\/p>\n

What causes a lunar eclipse?<\/h2>\n

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in perfect alignment and the Earth\u2019s shadow blocks sunlight from reflecting off the surface of the Moon. Although, the Moon does not disappear completely; instead, it will turn a bright copper-red colour.<\/p>\n

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In a lunar eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Moon and the Sun \u00a9 Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

During a lunar eclipse, the Moon will first pass into the penumbra, the outer part of the Earth\u2019s shadow, then into the umbra at totality, then back into the other side of the penumbra, before leaving the shadow altogether.<\/p>\n

Why does the Moon turn red?<\/h2>\n

The red colour is caused by the refractive and scattering effects of the planet\u2019s atmosphere. Particles and gases in the atmosphere scatter sunlight in all directions, in a process called Rayleigh scattering<\/a>. Because light travels in waves, and each colour in the light spectrum has a different wavelength, different colours get scattered differently. Blue light has a shorter wavelength and is scattered more easily than red light, which has a longer wavelength and is not so easily scattered.<\/p>\n

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks sunlight from directly illuminating the surface of the Moon. However, light can still pass through our atmosphere, so the Moon will not completely disappear. The long wavelengths of red light can penetrate the atmosphere, which, from the perspective of the Moon, would resemble a ring (annulus) around the Earth.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The eclipse will happen as the Moon is sinking towards the horizon on the morning of 16 May 2022 \u00a9 Getty images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The more dust or cloud cover that there is in the atmosphere, the redder the Moon will look from our vantage point. Volcanic eruptions that send particulates high into the stratosphere, can often block light and result in a \u2018darker\u2019 eclipse.<\/p>\n

NASA describes this effect as \u201cIt\u2019s as if all the world\u2019s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the difference between the Earth\u2019s umbra and penumbra?<\/h2>\n

During a lunar eclipse, there are two shadows that are cast on the Moon: a lighter, outer shadow called the penumbra, and a darker, inner shadow called the umbra.<\/p>\n

The type of eclipse is determined by how much of the Moon passes within the dark, inner umbra.<\/p>\n

A partial lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon does not fully enter the umbra, whereas a total lunar eclipse occurs when the whole of the Moon passes into the umbra.<\/p>\n

Both this lunar eclipse and the next in November 2022 will reach totality.<\/p>\n

Why do lunar eclipses last longer than solar eclipses?<\/h2>\n

Totality during a solar eclipse may range from a few seconds to a few minutes. However, during a lunar eclipse, totality can last much longer, as is the case on 16 May 2022, at just shy of 85 minutes.<\/p>\n

This is because the Earth is much larger than the Moon, so the shadow cast by the Earth onto the Moon, covers the Moon for longer. Conversely, a solar eclipse happens when the Moon\u2019s shadow is cast over the Earth (i.e., the Moon blocks the Sun), so solar eclipses are much shorter in duration.<\/p>\n

The time of the eclipse is relative to the size of the body casting the shadow, and therefore the time taken to move through its umbra.<\/p>\n

When is the next lunar eclipse?<\/h2>\n

The next lunar eclipse will take place on 8 November 2022, during the Beaver Moon. It too, will be a total lunar eclipse and will be centred over the Pacific Ocean. However, after this, we\u2019ll have to wait until 14 March 2025<\/a> for the next total lunar eclipse.<\/p>\n

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The blood superman photographed over Sydney Opera House on the 26 May 2021 \u00a9 Nicholas Papas<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Why does a lunar eclipse only happen during a full Moon?<\/h2>\n

Like a solar eclipse that only occurs during a new Moon<\/a>, a lunar eclipse only occurs during a full Moon. A lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon are perfectly<\/em> lined up, and this alignment only happens during the Full Moon phase of the lunar cycle.<\/p>\n

Viewing tips<\/h2>\n

Unlike solar eclipses, which you must never<\/em> look at directly, it\u2019s safe to look at a lunar eclipse with the naked eye and no specialist equipment is needed. This is because the Moon only reflects the sunlight and doesn\u2019t get any brighter than a full Moon (or a supermoon).<\/p>\n

Total (and partial) eclipses of the Moon are very easy to see, all you need are clear skies and a good view of the Moon from where you are. It\u2019s always a good idea to minimise light pollution from other sources where possible.<\/p>\n

Be sure to check your local weather forecast before you head out. Here in Bristol, it\u2019s expected to be mild, around 12\u00b0 with a light cloud, so conditions are favourable.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to clear skies!<\/p>\n

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