It all depends on the meteorological scene along the perimeter of Earth s shadow. Read ahead at the web address below. Here you ll find a diagram of the major circumstances of this eclipse. The total lunar eclipse which will be visible this Thursday evening and Friday morning could be the brightest eclipse of this decade and a spectacular visual experience through small telescopes and binoculars. See last week s StarWatch at the Net address below.
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon slips into the shadow of the Earth.
They are not in any way dangerous to view with the eye or any type of optical aid. If the full moon can be observed without any danger to the eye, so can the full moon entering the Earth s shadow. So here is another opportunity to put your telescope, binoculars, or spotting scope to good use to add that extra dimension of clarity and beauty to this happening. Lunar eclipses are not high magnification events. Small telescopes used at 20-40 power, will give truly spectacular views of the entire moon as the umbra sweeps across it.