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Credit & Copyright: Fred Espenak
(courtesy of
www.MrEclipse.com)
Explanation:
The
first eclipse of the third millennium is coming up!
A total lunar eclipse mainly
visible from
Europe, Asia, and Africa,
will occur on January 9th as the
full Moon glides through the long,
but not so dark shadow of
planet Earth.
Why not so dark?
Sunlight is actually scattered and refracted into
Earth's shadow
by the atmosphere, a circumstance which can help create some
striking photographs of the eclipsed Moon.
For example, this image is a composite of photographs taken during
the July 2000 total lunar eclipse.
Early and late phases of the eclipse flank a
deep
exposure made during totality.
The feeble sunlight still shining on the lunar surface gives the
moon a dramatic dark red cast.
While the
July
2000 eclipse
was not the first or last of any
millennium, it was remarkable for being the longest eclipse
for about the next 1,000 years,
totality lasting an impressive one hour and 47 minutes.
Totality for the January 9th eclipse will last just over one hour.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: eclipse - lunar eclipse - millennium
Publications with words: eclipse - lunar eclipse - millennium
See also: