![\"A](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/Watch_the_Skies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/11\/MAF_20220515_LunarEclipse01orig-scaled.jpeg\")
Image credit: NASA\/Michael DeMocker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A total lunar eclipse occurs when Earth casts a complete shadow \u2013 called an umbra \u2013 over the Moon. Earth\u2019s shadow is categorized into two parts: the umbra, the innermost part of the shadow where direct light from the Sun is completely blocked, and the penumbra, the outermost part of the shadow where the light is partially blocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon and the Sun are on opposite sides of Earth. Many people wonder why lunar eclipses don\u2019t happen every month given the Moon completes an orbit around Earth every 27 days. The reason is because the Moon\u2019s orbit around Earth is tilted relative to Earth\u2019s orbit around the Sun, so the Moon often passes above or below Earth\u2019s shadow. Lunar eclipses are only possible when the orbits align so that the Moon is directly behind Earth relative to the Sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For North America the action will start in the early hours of the morning on Nov. 8. The partial eclipse will begin at 3:09 a.m. CST, with totality beginning at 4:16 a.m. and ending at 5:42 a.m. Then, the partial phase will resume, lasting until 6:49 a.m. Those in the eastern part of the United States will miss most or all of the last partial phase because the Moon will set during totality or shortly after totality ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another feature of a total lunar eclipse is the Moon\u2019s red hue during totality. The red color occurs because of the refraction, filtering, and scattering of light by Earth\u2019s atmosphere. The scattering is a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering \u2013 named after the 19th-century British Physicist Lord Rayleigh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rayleigh scattering is also the reason for red sunrises and sunsets. Light from the Sun collides into the gases of Earth\u2019s atmosphere and because of its shorter wavelength, blue light is filtered out, but red light is not easily scattered because of its longer wavelength. Some of that red light is refracted, or bent, as it passes through Earth\u2019s atmosphere and ends up shining on the Moon with a ghostly red light. The degree of redness of a fully eclipsed Moon can be influenced by atmospheric conditions resulting from volcanic eruptions, fires, and dust storms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But what does Earth look like from the Moon\u2019s perspective during a lunar eclipse? According to Mitzi Adams, astrophysicist at Marshall, astronauts on the Moon during a total lunar eclipse would see a red ring around a silhouetted Earth. As NASA works to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon through the\u00a0Artemis program, it\u2019s fascinating to consider how Earthlings will experience astronomical events away from their home planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No special eye protection is needed for viewing a lunar eclipse, unlike solar eclipses (which occur during the daytime). While the lunar eclipse can be observed with the unaided eye, a pair of binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sterling says a fun activity for those who stargaze with family or friends is to discuss who notices the reddish hue of totality first and how it progresses throughout the eclipse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gain more understanding\u00a0of lunar eclipses,\u00a0learn\u00a0about NASA\u2019s observations of eclipses, and\u00a0inspire\u00a0young stargazers with activities and information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, if you want to know what else is happening as you watch the skies in November, check out\u00a0Jet Propulsion Laboratory\u2019s\u00a0latest \u201cWhat\u2019s Up\u201d video:<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/blogs.nasa.gov\/Watch_the_Skies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2022\/11\/260186674_4522688977846884_7177149388660440055_n.jpg\")