Lunar eclipses are a special event as they do not occur every month, and the first one of 2024 will be next Monday. It’s important to note that a lunar eclipse is different from a solar eclipse.
Lunar eclipses happen about twice a year when the Sun, Earth, and its satellite align in a way that the Moon falls under the shadow of our planet. There are three types of lunar eclipses: total or “blood moons,” partial, and penumbral.
How many lunar eclipses will occur in 2024
In 2024, there will be two lunar eclipses: one penumbral on March 25th and another partial on September 17th. The first one will be subtle as the Moon will only pass through the Earth’s outer shadow, which is fainter, called penumbra.
Although penumbral eclipses are usually not visible to the naked eye, the upcoming one should be. This is because the Earth’s shadow will cover 95% of the lunar surface. Only 60% coverage is needed to see the eclipse with the naked eye, and it will occur on March 25th at 5:53 in the morning.
In September, the effect will be more spectacular as a part of the Moon will move into the darker part of our planet’s shadow called umbra. It will appear as if a circle has been carved on the side of the Moon.
What are penumbral and partial lunar eclipses?
Although we typically see a full moon every month, not every month experiences such a phenomenon. This is because the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is slightly inclined and only intersects the planet’s conical shadow at specific times.
This inclination is why each eclipse can be seen at different times and from different locations on Earth. However, astronomers have observed that lunar eclipses follow a long-term pattern called the Saros cycle, and that two eclipses separated by a Saros cycle share similar attributes over time.
