LUNAR Eclipse

Today in Ireland there was a LUNAR ECLIPSE . It accured after sunset. Me (Marta) and Rach (Rachel) went outside to see it.We used my telescope. IT WAS AMAZING!!! I was very exited because last time it happend was December 21, 2010 and i missed it. :( but now :)



Facts:

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

Astronomers recognize three basic types of lunar eclipses:

        1. Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
            The Moon passes through Earth's penumbral shadow.
            These events are of only academic interest because they are subtle and hard to observe.
                (click for photo example)
        2. Partial Lunar Eclipse
            A portion of the Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.
            These events are easy to see, even with the unaided eye.
                (click for photo example)
        3. Total Lunar Eclipse
            The entire Moon passes through Earth's umbral shadow.
            These events are quite striking due to the Moon's vibrant red color during the total phase (totality).

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the earth so that the earth blocks the sun's rays from striking the moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, there is always a full moon the night of a lunar eclipse. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes.

Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth. A lunar eclipse lasts for a few hours, whereas a total solar eclipse lasts for only a few minutes at any given place.


  Tell us your story about the Lunar Eclipse in comments

 Spoilers : We wrote a song about what we do on our blog,All I can say it's to the melody to one of Adele songs, come tomorrow to see it.