Partial lunar eclipse and supermoon could be visible from Lancashire tonight
A partial lunar eclipse could be visible from the skies in Lancashire tonight.
The phenomenon occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's penumbra, the outer region of the Earth's shadow and only a section of it passes through the umbra, or the darkest part of the shadow. A very small section of the Moon is then covered, but the northern half of it will be darkened by the shadow.
According to the Royal Museums Greenwich, a partial lunar eclipse is expected to occur in the early hours of tomorrow (Wednesday, September 18). They explain: "The Moon will enter Earth's penumbra at 1.41am BST and leave at 5.47am.
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"The maximum of this eclipse will occur at 3.44am BST, with only 3.5% of the Moon in Earth's umbra at this point." For a total lunar eclipse to happen, the Sun, Earth and Moon must lie in a straight line, with the Moon passing through the Earth's umbra.
A lunar eclipse occurs between two to five times a year, with with a total lunar eclipse occurring at least two every three years. Also occurring tomorrow is the phenomenon known as the Harvest Moon, which happens to be a supermoon.
One strict definition of a supermoon is that if the Moon is within 10 per cent of its closest distance at the moment of a full Moon. It will then appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter.
After tomorrow, the next expected date for a supermoon is October 17 and will be more visible with clear skies.