Millions around the world are preparing to witness the first total lunar eclipse of 2011 Wednesday night. Viewers in parts of South America, Europe, Africa, Central Asia and Australia will be able to see what is to be the longest total lunar eclipse in nearly 11 years, according to experts.
“A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon, Earth and sun line up, and our home planet casts a vast shadow that engulfs the moon,” reported The Guardian. The moon will be completely covered in the Earth’s shadow for 100 minutes, making this the longest total lunar eclipse since July 2000.
The Guardian also reported that when the moon moves into the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow during the eclipse, it will turn a slate grey or brick red color. The color change will occur because light from the sun refracts as it passes through the atmosphere, which can illuminate the moon, according to AFP.
The Earth’s shadow will start to fall at 1724 GMT and will lift at 2300 GMT, and the total eclipse will run from 1922 to 2102 GMT, according to NASA’s veteran eclipse-watcher Fred Espenak, as reported by AFP.
The moon is expected to appear low in the sky, so clear conditions will be necessary for skywatchers to have a good view. The next total lunar eclipse will be on December 10.
A lunar eclipse, unlike a solar eclipse, can be watched safely with the naked eye. There will be partial solar eclipses on July 1 and November 25. The next total solar eclipse will take place on November 13, 2012, in a track running across North Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and southerly South America, reported AFP.
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