May 26th Lunar Eclipse

Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes into the Earth’s shadow.  When we see the moon it is because the sun’s light is reflecting off the moon. There are three types of eclipse — total (sun obscures all the moon), partial (sun obscures part of the moon) and penumbral (the moon looks shaded).  The next lunar eclipse will be on May 26, 2021. Locally, it will be a partial eclipse of the “blood moon”.  Some people call it a “supermoon” because it is the closest full moon of the year. 

Throughout history, eclipses have inspired awe and even fear, especially when total lunar eclipses turned the moon blood-red, an effect that terrified people who had no understanding of what causes an eclipse and therefore blamed the events on this god or that. You don't need a telescope or any filters to see a lunar eclipse but binoculars or a small telescope will bring out surface details.  

If you happen to be outside at about 5am, the maximum visibility of the eclipse here will be at 5:55am on May 26th in the Western sky.  For local details, visit:  https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/harrisonburg?iso=20210526

If you want to see what a total eclipse looks like, visit You Tube starting at 4:45am on May 26th:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaCROdt5Hi0