The Moon rises over the Mediterranean Sea throughout the penumbral lunar eclipse of May 5, 2023. Credit: Gianni Tumino

In this particular early version of This Week in Astronomy, we stay up for this weekend’s partial lunar eclipse.

In a partial lunar eclipse, the deepest a part of the Earth’s shadow — the umbra — solely partially covers the Moon. This time, that might be finest seen from Europe, Africa, and Asia.

However, a number of the Americas will be capable of see the tail finish of the eclipse because the Moon rises. By that stage, the eclipse might be in its penumbral stage. That means the umbra will now not be solid upon the Moon, however the outer a part of Earth’s shadow — the penumbra — might be. Put one other manner, for those who had been standing on the Moon in Earth’s penumbra, you’d see Earth partially eclipsing the Sun.

In a penumbral eclipse, the Moon’s reddish tint is extra delicate than in a complete lunar eclipse. And even for those who stay in Europe, Africa, or Asia, at this partial eclipse’s most, the umbra will cowl simply over 12 % of the lunar disk. But that’s a part of the intrigue of lunar eclipse watching — discovering out simply what you see, and the way dim and crimson you understand the Moon to be.

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