In this guide we’ll reveal the key times and phases of the lunar eclipse and what you’ll see during each stage.<\/p>
The 28 October lunar eclipse<\/a> will be an interesting event because the Moon will graze the northern edge of the darkest portion of the shadow.<\/p> This results in a small \u2018bite\u2019 appearing to be taken out of the Moon\u2019s southern edge.<\/p> Find out when the next eclipse<\/a> is taking place<\/em><\/strong><\/p> From Earth, the Sun has an apparent size around half-a-degree. In other words, it\u2019s an extended rather than a point-source of light.<\/p> As a result, unlike a total lunar eclipse, it won’t necessarily be completely clear what’s happening and when, and so it pays to be aware of the key times of this partial lunar eclipse.<\/p> For more stargazing advice every week, sign up to receive the BBC Sky at Night Magazine e-newsletter<\/a> and listen to our Star Diary podcast<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong> <\/p> From the Moon\u2019s orbital distance, Earth\u2019s shadow has two components: a weak outer part known as the penumbral shadow and a dark inner part called the umbral shadow.<\/p> A spacecraft within the outer part of the penumbra would see a tiny fraction of the Sun\u2019s disc clipped by Earth.<\/p> If the craft moved further inside the penumbral shadow towards the umbral shadow, the amount of clipping \u2013 essentially a partial eclipse of the Sun \u2013 would increase.<\/p> Just outside of the umbral shadow, all but a tiny amount of the Sun\u2019s light would be hidden from view. <\/p> Pop inside the umbra and all of the Sun\u2019s light would be hidden.<\/p> In the early evening sky on 28 October, although you can\u2019t see it, the penumbral shadow will span an apparent diameter around 4.7 times the apparent diameter of the Moon.<\/p> The umbral shadow\u2019s apparent diameter will be around 2.7 times larger than the apparent diameter of the Moon, both shadows being arranged concentrically like a bull\u2019s-eye target.\u00a0<\/p> 19:02 BST (18:02 UT)<\/strong> – the Moon enters the penumbral shadow.<\/p> The outer part of this shadow is so weak that you\u2019re unlikely to see anything at this time.<\/p> However, over the next 1.5 hours you should be able to see a subtle darkening, most obvious near the Moon\u2019s southwest limb.<\/p> 20:35 BST (19:35 UT)<\/strong> – the Moon\u2019s limb will be touching the umbral shadow.<\/p> This point in time marks the start of the partial eclipse.\u00a0<\/p> As mentioned, this is a small partial eclipse, just a glancing blow of the umbral shadow.<\/p> 21:14 BST (20:14 UT)<\/strong> – maximum eclipse occurs<\/p> Around 12% of the Moon\u2019s diameter will be covered by the umbral shadow.<\/p> This translates as around 6% of the Moon\u2019s disc being eclipsed.\u00a0<\/p> 21:53 BST (20:53 UT)<\/strong> – the partial eclipse ends<\/p> This is when the Moon slips out of the umbral shadow.<\/p> It then takes around 1.5 hours for the Moon to slowly leave the subtlety of the weak penumbral shadow.<\/p>What causes a partial lunar eclipse?<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Lunar](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/10\/lunar-eclipse-penumbra-diagram-209e530.jpg\")
Key times and phases<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Graphic](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2023\/10\/28-october-lunar-eclipse-key-times-1024x733.jpg?fit=800,573\")