Total lunar eclipse to glow red

On Wednesday night (October 8) Australians will get the chance to witness a total lunar eclipse that will turn the full moon a deep red colour for an hour.

West Australians will see the total eclipse but will miss the entire passage of the earth’s shadow across the face of the moon because the eclipse begins before the moon rises over WA.

Astronomer Alan Duffy of Melbourne’s Swinburne University of Technology said a lunar eclipse occurs when the earth gets between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow across the moon that causes it to turn a blood red colour.

‘‘It’s like all the sunsets around the entire earth shining on the moon. I love that description,’’ Dr Duffy said.

‘‘The atmosphere bends the light from the sunset around and gives the moon that red colour.‘‘Without the atmosphere, the moon would just be dark (during a lunar eclipse).’’

Dr Duffy said this eclipse will be much more spectacular than one that was visible in Australia in April.‘‘This one will be the real McCoy,’’ he said.

‘‘Australia is the perfect place to see the long lunar eclipse experience, weather permitting, and we will see that distinctive blood red colour.’’

Lunar eclipses occur at least twice a year, but lunar eclipse lovers can expect seven to occur in 2038.tern sky.

In NSW, the eclipse can be seen from 8.15pm. The total eclipse will be at 9.25pm to 10.25pm and will end at 11.35pm.

AAP