Just two weeks after a total solar eclipse, skywatchers are set to witness another rare celestial event as a total lunar eclipse takes place from late Thursday night into the early hours of Friday, August 28. During the eclipse, nearly 96 percent of the Moon will pass through Earth’s darkest shadow, giving it a distinctive copper-red appearance commonly known as a “Blood Moon.”
According to NASA, the lunar eclipse will reach its maximum phase at 10:12 a.m. Bangladesh time on Friday. However, the Moon will be below the horizon across Bangladesh and much of Asia at that time, making the peak of the eclipse impossible to observe directly from these regions.
The eclipse will be most clearly visible from parts of North and South America. Some areas of Europe and Africa may also witness portions of the event around moonrise or moonset.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, blocking direct sunlight from reaching the lunar surface. However, some sunlight passes through Earth’s atmosphere and is refracted toward the Moon. Because shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more strongly in the atmosphere, the remaining reddish light gives the Moon its characteristic copper or red glow.
This unusual appearance is what gives rise to the term “Blood Moon.” Although the entire eclipse process will last more than five hours, the period during which the Moon appears most distinctly reddish will be considerably shorter.
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be viewed safely with the naked eye. No special protective glasses are required, and observers can watch the different phases of the eclipse directly, provided weather conditions are favorable.
The event follows a recent total solar eclipse that was visible from Spain, a small part of Portugal, Greenland, Iceland and parts of northern Russia.
NASA’s eclipse calendar indicates that several more eclipses are scheduled in the coming months. Another solar eclipse is expected on February 6, with parts of South America and Africa among the regions from which it will be visible.
A subsequent lunar eclipse is expected during the night of February 20–21. According to NASA, it should be visible from parts of North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Antarctica.
The sequence of solar and lunar eclipses within the same period is drawing particular interest from astronomers and skywatchers. Although Bangladesh will not be able to witness the peak of Friday’s total lunar eclipse, observers in several other parts of the world will have the opportunity to see the striking Blood Moon.
Source: NASA