Total Lunar Eclipse: August 28, 2007

Eclipse Diagram

Path of the Moon through Earth's umbral and penumbral shadows
during the Total Lunar Eclipse of Aug. 28, 2007.
(Pacific Daylight Time) 



Introduction




A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the early morning of Tuesday, August 28, 2007. 
The event is widely visible from the United States and Canada as well as South America, the Pacific Ocean, eastern Asia and Australia. 
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon's disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray.



An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. 
The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. 
The outer shadow or penumbra is a zone where Earth blocks some (but not all) of the Sun's rays.
In contrast, the inner shadow or umbra is a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon.



If only part of the Moon passes through the umbra, a partial eclipse is seen. However, if the entire Moon passes through the umbral shadow, then a total eclipse of the Moon occurs. 
For more information on how, what, why, where and when of lunar eclipses, see  the special web page
  lunar eclipses for beginners.







Lunar Eclipse Diagrams



The following diagrams show the Moon's path through Earth's shadows (higher resolution versions of the above figure). 
The times of major stages of the eclipse are given for a number of time zones in North America. 
Please choose the diagram for your own time zone. Each diagram is a GIF file with a size of about 100k.





 Daylight Saving Time is in effect for most of the United States and Canada during the eclipse. 
However, Arizona remains on Mountain Standard Time year-round and does not use Daylight Saving Time. 
Eclipse times for Arizona are the same as those for Pacific Daylight Time 
(The Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona is currently on Mountain Daylight Time).




Some people may be puzzled that the Moon's motion is from west to east (right to left) in these diagrams, instead of its daily east to west (left to right) motion in the sky.
However, the Moon actually moves WEST to EAST (right to left in the Northern Hemisphere) with respect to the Earth's shadow and the stars.







Times and Phases of the Total Lunar Eclipse of August 28, 2007



From start to finish, August's lunar eclipse lasts about three hours and thirty-three minutes (not including the penumbral phases which are very difficult to see). 
The partial eclipse begins as the Moon's eastern edge slowly moves into the Earth's umbral shadow. 
During the partial phases, it takes just over an hour for the Moon's orbital motion to carry it entirely within the Earth's dark umbra. 
The color and brightness of the totally eclipsed Moon can vary considerably from one eclipse to another. 
Dark eclipses are caused by volcanic gas and dust which filters and blocks much of the Sun's light from reaching the Moon. 
But since no major volcanic eruptions have taken place recently, the Moon will probably take on a vivid red or orange color during the total phase.
After the total phase ends, it is once again followed by a partial eclipse as the Moon gradually leaves the umbral shadow.



The total phase of a lunar eclipse is called totality.
At this time, the Moon is completely immersed within the Earth's dark umbral shadow.
During the August 28 eclipse totality will last 90 minutes. 
This is less that the maximum possible duration of 107 minutes (see:  Total Lunar Eclipse of July 16, 2000).



The major phases of the eclipse occur as follows (all times are GMT or Greenwich Mean Time).
The partial eclipse commences with first umbral contact at 08:54 GMT. Totality begins at 09:52 GMT and lasts until 11:22 GMT. 
The partial phases end at 12:23 GMT. 
Eclipse times for time zones in the United States and Canada are shown in the following table.








Total Lunar Eclipse of August 28, 2007



North America
Other



Event
Time
EDT		
Time
CDT		
Time
MDT		
Time
PDT		
Time
ADT		
Time
HST		
Time
GMT		





Partial Eclipse Begins:
 04:51 am   03:51 am   02:51 am   01:51 am   12:51 am   10:51 pm*   08:51 am   
 



Total Eclipse Begins:
 05:52 am   04:52 am   03:52 am   02:52 am   01:52 am   11:52 pm*   09:52 am   
 



Mid-Eclipse:
 06:37 am   05:37 am   04:37 am   03:37 am   02:37 am   12:37 am   10:37 am   
 



Total Eclipse Ends:
 07:22 am   06:22 am   05:22 am   04:22 am   03:22 am   01:22 am   11:22 am   
 



Partial Eclipse Ends:
 08:24 am   07:24 am   06:24 am   05:24 am   04:24 am   02:24 am   12:24 pm   
 





* Event occurs on evening of August 27, 2007








 Key to Time Zones  




Zone
Description



  EDT   Eastern Daylight Time (= GMT - 4 hours)  


  CDT   Central Daylight Time (= GMT - 5 hours)  


  MDT   Mountain Daylight Time (= GMT - 6 hours)  


  PDT   Pacific Daylight Time (= GMT - 7 hours)  


  ADT   Alaska Daylight Time (= GMT - 8 hours)  


  HST   Hawaiian Standard Time (= GMT - 10 hours)  


  GMT   Greenwich Mean Time  






The table above provides times of the major eclipse phases for North American time zones, Hawaiian Standard Time and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). 
Eclipse times for other time zones can be calculated by taking the difference between local time and Greenwich and adding it to the tabulated GMT times. 
If you live somewhere that does not use  Daylight Saving Time in the summer months, you can convert the above times for your time zone from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time simply by subtracting 1 hour.  
For more information, see  Time Zones and  Daylight Saving Time.



Note that most of the USA is observing  Daylight Saving Time during the eclipse. 
However, Arizona remains on Mountain Standard Time year-round and does not use Daylight Saving Time. 
Eclipse times for Arizona are the same as those for Pacific Daylight Time 




To determine the Moon's altitude at each stage of the eclipse as  seen from your city or location, see  Javascript Lunar Eclipse Explorer. 
This web page allows you to calculate the viewing circumstances of all lunar eclipses visible from your city over a five-thosuand year period.










Visibility of the Total Lunar Eclipse of August 28, 2007



August's lunar eclipse is well-placed for North and South America as well as the Pacific, eastern Asia and Australia. 


All of North America will witness some portion of the eclipse, but western observers are favored. 
The early umbral phases will be in progress at moonset for observers in Maritime Canada.
From the eastern USA, the Great Lakes region and Ontario, the Moon sets in total eclipse. 
Only observers to the west of the Rockies (including Alaska) will be treated to the entire event. 
All phases of the eclipse are also visible from islands of the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand and eastern Australia. 
Various stages of the eclipse are in progress at moonrise for eastern Asia. 
No eclipse is visible from Europe, Africa and western Asia. 



Preceeding and following the eclipse are hour-long penumbral phases but these are faint and quite difficult to see. 
The more interesting and photogenic partial and total phases always take center stage to the penumbral phases.





 Eclipse Map





Map showing the global visibility of the Total Lunar Eclipse of August 28, 2007.

(Click here to see larger version of this map)









 Key to Eclipse Visibility Map 




 P1  Penumbral eclipse begins (not visible to the eye) 


 U1  Partial eclipse begins  


 U2  Total eclipse begins  


 U3  Total eclipse ends  


 U4  Partial eclipse ends  


 P4  Penumbral eclipse ends (not visible to the eye)  








The map above shows the geographic regions of visibility for each phase of the eclipse.
The entire eclipse is visible from start to finish in the white (unshaded) portion of the map, while none of the eclipse can be seen from the dark gray areas.



For anyone located in the blue shaded region labeled  Eclipse at Moonset, this means that the Moon will set while some phase of the eclipse is already in progress. 
The contact curves labeled P1, U1, U2, U3, U4, and P4 represent each phase of the eclipse (see the key above). 
If you are east (right) of a particular curve, that phase occurs after moonset and you will not see it.
However, if you are west (left) of a curve, that phase occurs before moonset and you will see it (weather permitting).



For example, on the above map, the eastern U.S. lies west (left) of the U2 curve (total eclipse begins) and east (right) of the curve U3 (total eclipse ends). This means that from this region, the Moon sets while it is in total eclipse. 




For observers located within the second blue shaded region labeled  Eclipse at Moonrise, the situation is reversed. 
Here the Moon rises while some phase of the eclipse is already in progress. 
If you are west (left) of a particular curve (P1, U1, U2, U3, U4, or P4), that phase occurs before moonrise and you will not see it.
However, if you are east (right) of a contact curve, that phase occurs after moonrise and you will see it (weather permitting).



All total eclipses start with a penumbral followed by a partial eclipse, and end with a partial followed by a penumbral eclipse (the total eclipse is sandwiched in the middle). Since the penumbral phases of the eclipse are so difficult to see, we will ignore them. 

 





Wonderful Totality



At the instant of mid-totality (10:37 GMT), the Moon will lie in the zenith for observers in French Polynesia. 
At this time, the umbral eclipse magnitude peaks at 1.476.



From the diagram above, it is clear that the northern (top) edge of the Moon will dip much deeper into the Earth's shadow than will the southern (bottom) edge.
Since the Earth's umbral shadow is darker in the center than at the edge, the Moon's appearance will likely change dramatically with time. 
A large variation in shadow brightness can be expected and observers are encouraged to estimate the Danjon value at different times during totality (  Danjon Brightness Scale). 
Note that it may also be necessary to assign different Danjon values to different portions of the Moon at different times. 



This could be an excellent opportunity for budding astronomers and students to test their observing skills. 
Try recording your estimates of the Moon's brightness every ten minutes during totality using the  Danjon Scale. Compare your results with your companions and classmates and discover how the Moon's appearance changes during the total eclipse. 
The brightness of the totally eclipsed Moon is very sensitive to the presence of volcanic dust in Earth's atmosphere.  
As part of a continuing research project, Dr. Richard Keen has been using reports of lunar eclipse brightnesses to calculate a history of optical thicknesses of volcanic dust layers (see:  What Will 2004's Lunar Eclipses Look Like?).
If you'd like to help Dr. Keen by making eclipse observations, you can contact him at  Richard.Keen@Colorado.EDU.



The amount of dust and sulfur dioxide in Earth's atmosphere also has an effect on the diameter of the umbral shadow. Amateur astronomers with telescopes can make careful timings of when some of the Moon's major craters enter or exit the umbra. 
Such observations are valuable in determining the enlargement of Earth's shadow. 
A  table of crater predictions identifies twenty well-defined craters useful for this purpose. 
For more information, see:  Crater Timings During Lunar Eclipses.




An eclipse of the Moon also presents a tempting subject to photograph. 
Since the Moon appears quite small in the sky, you'll need a fairly powerful telephoto lens (400 mm or more) or even a small telescope to attach to your camera. 
A typical ISO 400 speed (either digital or film) is a good choice. 
For more information on equipment, film, recommended exposures and additional tips, see  lunar eclipse photography. 



Unlike  solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch. 
Protective filters are not necessary and neither is a telescope. 
A lunar eclipse can be observed with nothing more than the naked eye. 
However, a pair of binoculars will magnify the view and make the red coloration brighter and easier to see.
A standard pair of 7x35 or 7x50 binoculars is sufficient.



During totality, the summer and fall constellations will be well placed for viewing. 
The Moon will be in southern Aquarius and crosses the descending node of its orbit during the eclipse. 
The great square of Pegasus will be to the west of the Moon while Taurus and Orion are rising to the east.



Although total eclipses of the Moon are of minor scientific value, they are remarkably beautiful events which do not require expensive equipment. 
They help to cultivate interest in science and astronomy in children and to provide a unique learning opportunity for families, students and teachers. 
To the nature lover and naturalist, the lunar eclipse can be appreciated and celebrated as an event which vividly illustrates our place among the planets in the solar system. 
The three dimensional reality of our universe comes alive in a graceful celestial ballet as the Moon swings through the Earth's shadow. 
Hope for clear skies, dress warmly and enjoy the show!









Eclipse Frequency and Future Eclipses



During the five millennium period from 2000 BC through AD 3000, there are 7,718 eclipses[1] of the Moon (including both partial and total eclipses).
From 0 to 3 lunar eclipses (partial or total) occur each year. 
The last time three total lunar eclipses occurred in one calendar year was in 1982. 
On average, partial eclipses slightly outnumber total eclipses by 7 to 6[2].


[1] Only eclipses where the Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow are included in these values. 
A minor type of eclipse is the penumbral eclipse which occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's faint penumbral shadow. 
Penumbral eclipses are rarely discernible to the naked eye and are of lesser importance than umbral eclipses.




[2] Penumbral eclipses are excluded from these statistics. 




The last total lunar eclipse visible from the entire continental United States occurred on  Oct 28, 2004 . 
The last total eclipse occurred on  Mar 03, 2007  and was seen from eastern USA, Europe, Africa and central Asia. 
North Americans will have their next opportunity to see a total lunar eclipse on  Feb 21, 2008 . 



The table below lists every lunar eclipse from 
2007 through 2012. Click on the eclipse Date to see a map and diagram of an eclipse. Although penumbral lunar eclipses are included in this list, they are usually quite difficult to observe because of their subtlety. The penumbra is a partial shadow which still permits some direct sunlight to reach the Moon.



The Umbral Eclipse Magnitude is the fraction on the Moon's diameter immersed in the umbra at maximum eclipse. For values of 1.0 or greater, the eclipse is total. 
For negative values, the eclipse is penumbral.
The Total Duration is the duration of the total phase (total eclipses only).










Lunar Eclipses: 2007 - 2012





Date
Eclipse Type
Saros
Umbral Magnitude
Eclipse Duration
Geographic Region of Eclipse Visibility













2007 Mar
03
Total
123
1.238
03h42m

 01h14m		
Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia





2007 Aug
28
Total
128
1.481
03h33m

 01h31m		
e Asia, Aus., Pacific, Americas





2008 Feb
21
Total
133
1.111
03h26m

 00h51m		
c Pacific, Americas, Europe, Africa





2008 Aug
16
Partial
138
0.813
03h09m
S. America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Aus.





2009 Feb
09
Penumbral
143
-0.083
-
e Europe, Asia, Aus., Pacific, w N.A.





2009 Jul
07
Penumbral
110
-0.909
-
Aus., Pacific, Americas





2009 Aug
06
Penumbral
148
-0.661
-
Americas, Europe, Africa, w Asia





2009 Dec
31
Partial
115
0.082
01h02m
Europe, Africa, Asia, Aus.





2010 Jun
26
Partial
120
0.542
02h44m
e Asia, Aus., Pacific, w Americas





2010 Dec
21
Total
125
1.262
03h29m

 01h13m		
e Asia, Aus., Pacific, Americas, Europe





 2011 Jun 15
   Total
   130
   1.705
   03h40m
01h41m		
   S.America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Aus.





    2011 Dec 10
   Total
   135
   1.110
   03h33m
00h52m		
   Europe, e Africa, Asia, Aus., Pacific, N.A.





    2012 Jun 04
   Partial
   140
   0.376
   02h08m
   Asia, Aus., Pacific, Americas





    2012 Nov 28
   Penumbral
   145
   -0.184
   -
   Europe, e Africa, Asia, Aus., Pacific, N.A.








Geographic abreviations (used above): n =
north, s = south, e = east, w = west, c = central













Web Resources








References









Reproduction of Eclipse Data



All eclipse calculations are by Fred Espenak, and he assumes full responsibility for their accuracy. 
Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by the following acknowledgment:



"Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC"



For more information, see: NASA Copyright Information










2007 Aug 29