A Lunar EclipseThis month, we will be able to enjoy the view of a total lunar eclipse (details below). But last year, we were fortunate enough to have two total lunar eclipses visible in Iowa.This image, by Guillermo Gonzalez, captures the visual appearance of the moon as it begins to leave the dark part (umbra) of the shadow of the Earth. Taken during the May 15, 2003 lunar eclipse, it shows that even though the Sun is fully blocked by the Earth during a total lunar eclipse, light still makes it to the moon's surface. This is because sunlight is bent by the Earth's atmosphere, allowing some of it to reach the moon. The reddish color of the moon in this image is therefore caused by sunsets and sunrises around the limb of the Earth. You can also see a pair of stars nearby. The fact that these are visible at all is an indication of how darkened the moon is - if it was not in eclipse, its glaring light would completely wash out these stars. |
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