On the night of August 27-28, people in Canada will have the opportunity to witness a deep partial lunar eclipse with 93% coverage at its maximum. Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, known as its umbra, after passing through the penumbra, Earth’s outer shadow. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of Canada, with Western Canada being able to see the partial eclipse as the moon rises.
Unlike a solar eclipse, watching a lunar eclipse does not require protective eyewear, and the event unfolds over hours rather than minutes. The eclipse will commence as the moon enters Earth’s penumbra around 10 p.m. ET, with the visible phase starting at 10:33 p.m. ET on August 27 and ending at 1:52 a.m. on August 28. The peak of the eclipse, with most of the moon darkened, is expected at 12:13 a.m.
Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat this month with several celestial events, including the recent partial solar eclipse on August 12, the Perseids meteor shower, and the Jupiter-Mercury conjunction. While the lunar eclipse won’t turn completely red due to its partial nature, viewers in Canada can still expect a reddish hue. The beauty of lunar eclipses lies in their visibility to the naked eye, although binoculars or a small telescope can enhance the viewing experience and capture remarkable photos with a smartphone camera featuring a good night mode.
