Lunar Eclipse 2022: The lunar eclipse occurring on November 8 will be the last total lunar eclipse for three years. While the next total lunar eclipse will occur in March 2025, the world will continue to see partial and penumbral lunar eclipses during that time.
On November 8, the Moon will be a blood moon, which occurs during a total lunar eclipse. The entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, called the umbra, as a result of which the Moon will appear reddish.
The lunar eclipse occurring in November this year will be visible in regions such as northern and eastern Europe, Asia, North America, much of South America, Australia, Antarctica, and over some regions of the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic Oceans.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
When the Sun, Earth, and Moon align in a way such that the Moon passes into the Earth's shadow, a lunar eclipse occurs. A total lunar eclipse is one in which the entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth's shadow, or the umbra.
When the Moon and the Sun are on the opposite sides of Earth, and the planet casts a complete shadow over its natural satellite, a total lunar eclipse occurs. The Moon is completely obscured by the Earth’s umbra during a total lunar eclipse.
The penumbra is the part of Earth's shadow where the Sun is only partially covered by Earth, while the umbra is where the Sun is completely hidden.
During the eclipse, most wavelengths from the visible light of the Sun will be filtered out, and only the red and orange wavelengths of the spectrum will reach the surface of the Moon. As a result, the Moon will take on a reddish hue.
All about the total lunar eclipse on November 8
There are several phases of a total lunar eclipse. In the first phase, the penumbral eclipse begins. During this phase, the Moon enters the Earth's penumbra, and then begins to dim.
The penumbral eclipse will begin at 13:32 IST, on November 8, in India. The Moon is not visible during this stage.
In the second phase, the partial eclipse begins. This is because the Moon begins to enter Earth's umbra. As the Moon moves into the umbra, it looks like a bite being taken out the lunar disc. The part of the Moon inside the umbra appears very dark.
The partial eclipse phase will begin at 14:39 IST.
When the totality or the total phase of the eclipse begins, the entire Moon is in the Earth's umbra. The Moon will turn coppery-red. The totality or the full eclipse phase will begin at 15:46 IST.
The maximum phase of the eclipse will be at 16:29 IST.
The totality ends when the Moon exits the Earth's umbra, as a result of which the red colour fades.
The totality or the full eclipse phase will end at 17:11 IST.
The partial eclipse ends when the whole Moon is in Earth's penumbra, but the dimming is subtle. This will occur at 18:19 IST on November 8.
The eclipse is said to be over when the penumbral eclipse ends. This year's total lunar eclipse will end at 19:26 IST.
The overall duration of the eclipse is five hours and 54 minutes, according to timeandate.com.
The duration of the total phase of the eclipse is one hour and 25 minutes.
The total lunar eclipse that will occur on November 8 is the last eclipse of the year, and the second this season. An eclipse season is an approximate 35-day period during which at least two eclipses take place. Sometimes, three eclipses can also occur during an eclipse season.
During the October-November 2022 eclipse season, a partial solar eclipse occurred on October 25, and a total lunar eclipse will occur on November 8.
Brightness of a total lunar eclipse
The appearance and luminosity of the Moon during a total lunar eclipse are measured using a five-point scale called the Danjon Scale.
The luminosity is represented by L. When L is equal to zero, the eclipse is very dark, and the Moon is almost invisible. When L is equal to 1, the eclipse is dark, and is grey or brown in colour.
When L is equal to 2, the eclipse is rust-coloured, and a dark, central shadow appears, with lighter area on the outer edge, according to timeanddate.com.
When L is equal to 3, a brick-red eclipse can be seen. This is an umbral eclipse.
When L is equal to 4, a copper-red or an orange-red eclipse can be seen. The umbral shadow may have a turquoise or bluish edge.
How to watch the total lunar eclipse
One does not need any special equipment to observe a lunar eclipse. However, if people want to enhance their view, they can use binoculars or a telescope. In order to get the best view of the Moon's red due during a total lunar eclipse, people should go to a dark environment away from bright lights.
People who are not in the viewing region of the total lunar eclipse can watch the livestream of the eclipse on the official YouTube channel of timeanddate.com.