Lunar eclipse entirely conceals the moon above Germany, symbolized by a red disc
A celestial event of great beauty and wonder, the total lunar eclipse, will once again captivate the skies over America and Asia on March 3, 2026. This spectacle, which occurs only a few times a decade, will also be visible in Germany on a future date, specifically on December 31, 2028.
During a lunar eclipse, the Earth's shadow is cast into space, and the moon passes through it. This phenomenon was explained by Carolin Liefke from the Haus der Astronomie in Heidelberg before the event. If the moon is completely within the Earth's shadow during a lunar eclipse, it is called a total eclipse.
In the past, Germany has been graced with this awe-inspiring sight. For instance, around 7:30 PM to 9 PM on a specific date, the moon turned a brilliant red as it passed through the Earth's shadow, a sight that was particularly notable in the city of Neumünster in September 2015. This rare and special event made the total lunar eclipse a notable astronomical highlight for the area.
The red colour of the moon is due to the refraction of the sun's rays in the Earth's atmosphere. The intensity of the red glow depends on the amount of smog in the air during the eclipse. Interestingly, during the eclipse over Germany, the moon was already in the sun's shadow by the time it rose, making it more difficult to spot on the horizon.
However, the moon was not unusually large during this eclipse, which might have made it easier to see, despite being in the Earth's shadow. In contrast, during the total lunar eclipse, the moon does not turn completely dark, but rather glows red. This is due to the refraction of sunlight through the Earth's atmosphere, filtering the red and orange wavelengths onto the moon's surface.
It's important to note that a total lunar eclipse can only occur during a full moon. After the eclipse, it was possible to only see the moon as it was coming out of the total eclipse. The moon was only partially in the Earth's shadow after the eclipse, which is a sight to behold in its own right.
So, mark your calendars for March 3, 2026, and December 31, 2028, to witness this breathtaking celestial event. Whether you're in America, Asia, or Germany, the total lunar eclipse is a sight not to be missed.
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