Partial lunar eclipse will be longest in almost 600 years
The next one is expected on Feb. 8, 2669
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The longest partial lunar eclipse this century is fast approaching. Here’s what you need to know to marvel at the super-rare event.
First, hope the forecast is in your favour and there are clear skies Thursday night as the moon passes into the southern-most part of the Earth’s shadow in the early hours of Nov. 19.
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Partial lunar eclipse will be longest in almost 600 years Back to video
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More specifically, the last lunar eclipse of the year starts just after 1 a.m. ET on Friday, according to The Weather Network, and is expected to peak at 4:03 a.m. ET.
It is predicted to last three hours, 28 minutes and 24 seconds, and the full eclipse will be for six hours and one minute, the Holcomb Observatory in Indiana says.
“Partial lunar eclipses might not be quite as spectacular as total lunar eclipses –- where the moon is completely covered in Earth’s shadow -– but they occur more frequently,” said NASA. “And that just means more opportunities to witness little changes in our solar system that sometimes occur right before our eyes.”
The Weather Network predicts southern Ontario, southern Quebec, central Saskatchewan, and central Alberta to be the best places across Canada for viewing.
Those who want to marvel at the moon might not notice the “reddish tinge” for the first while, the weather portal notes, as your eyes will “struggle with the contrast between the dark lunar surface in the umbra and the brighter part that’s still in the penumbra.”
Once that colour brightens and becomes more apparent, there could be a sensational sight to behold. Again, it all depends on how cooperative the weather is.
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So rather than the moon turning completely black because of the Earth’s shadow, viewers will see the moon take on a reddish-brown colour that is essentially a reflection of our planet’s sunrises and sunsets.
The longest partial lunar eclipse up to now was an impressive three hours, 28 minutes and 48 seconds – but that was 581 years ago, on Feb. 18, 1440, according to NASA.
The next one is expected on Feb. 8, 2669, so it’s safe to say Friday is your only chance to catch this phenomenon.
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