Lunar eclipses

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Lunar eclipses
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The Moon enters the Earths shadow. The region
of total shadow is called the umbra. The penumbra
around this can be reached by some light from the
Sun.
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Eclipses always occur at Full Moon as the
Moon must be on the far side of the Earth and so
we can view all the lit side.
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You dont get an eclipse every Full Moon. The
Moons orbit is angled at about 5o to the
ecliptic and the Moon usually goes above or below
the Earths shadow.
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Approximately once every 6 months, the Sun,
Earth and Moon line up in the same plane.
21st Jan 2000 16th July 2000 9th Jan
2001
The yellow-red colour is due to light
refracting from the Earths atmosphere.
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The type of lunar eclipse depends on how the
Moon passes through the Earths shadow.
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Penumbral eclipse are rather dull. The Full Moon
gets a little dimmer as it passes through the
penumbra and some sunlight is prevented from
reaching it.
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Penumbral eclipse 20th Nov 2002
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Partial eclipses are more interesting. The
part of the Moon that passes through the shadow
of the Earth disappears. Total eclipses
are more fun.
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January 21st 2000 at 0220
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January 21st 2000 at 0305
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January 21st 2000 at 0320
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January 21st 2000 at 0335
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January 21st 2000 at 0350
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January 21st 2000 at 0404
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January 21st 2000 at 0437
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January 21st 2000 at 0507
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January 21st 2000 at 0535
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January 21st 2000 at 0550
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January 21st 2000 at 0605
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January 21st 2000 at 0620
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January 21st 2000 at 0650
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January 21st 2000 sequence and animation
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Dec 9th 1992 sequence
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July 16th 2000 sequence