Lunar eclipse: The Moon to meet the Sun on the night of 27 to 28 August

Two weeks after the partial solar eclipse, astronomy enthusiasts are preparing to observe another celestial phenomenon.

This time it is a partial lunar eclipse that will occur on the night of 27 to 28 August, reports RTBF. In Belgium, the Moon will be approximately covered by 93% of the Earth's shadow at the time of maximum eclipse.

Unlike the partial solar eclipse that happened conveniently in the early evening, viewers will have set their alarm clock early as this latest natural phenomenon begins at 3.23 in the morning.

The peak of the eclipse is expected at 6.14, when 93% of the lunar surface will be immersed in the Earth's central shadow. Shortly afterwards, the Moon will set below the horizon, preventing observers in Belgium from witnessing the end of the eclipse.

However, the visibility of the phenomenon is dependent on weather conditions, as well as a clear view of the sky. At the time of maximum eclipse, the Moon will already be low on the southwestern horizon, which could complicate observation in some areas.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth aligns itself between the Sun and the Moon. The Earth then blocks some of the sunlight that normally illuminates our natural satellite and the Moon then finds itself in the ensuing shadow.

But this imminent celestial event will not produce a “Blood Moon,” the reddish colouration that appears during a total lunar eclipse. This only happens when the Moon is entirely immersed in the Earth's shadow and receives just a portion of sunlight filtered through the Earth's atmosphere.

The next total lunar eclipse will occur on the night of 31 December, 2028.

Photo: ©Mira observatory, Grimbergen