Total Lunar Eclipse Fills Night Sky

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, February 21, 2008 - Last night, a total eclipse of the Moon occurred. The entire event was visible from South America and most of North America as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia. The partial eclipse began at 7:43 PM CST. The total eclipse began at 9:01 PM CST and ended at 9:51 PM CST. During the total lunar eclipse (mid-eclipse at 9:26 PM CST), the Moon's disk, depending on several factors including your location, took on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray. The partial eclipse ended at 11:09 PM CST.

An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. The outer shadow or penumbra is a zone where Earth blocks some (but not all) of the Sun's rays. In contrast, the inner shadow or umbra is a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon.

If only part of the Moon passes through the umbra, a partial eclipse is seen. However, if the entire Moon passes through the umbral shadow, then a total eclipse of the Moon occurs.

The last total lunar eclipse visible in North America was August 28, 2007. The next visible total lunar eclipse will not occur until December 21, 2010.

Photos of the eclipse can be seen in our A Thousand Words section.