The clarity and brightness of the eclipse depends largely on the amount of dust and clouds in the earth's atmosphere. During the total phase of the 1992 lunar eclipse, the moon was practically invisible due to the volcanic dust from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Because there have been no recent, major volcanic eruptions, astronomers are predicting 2000's first lunar eclipse to be bright and colorful. There are two aspects to the earth's shadow. The penumbra, or the outer portion, and the umbra, or inner portion.
Some sunlight permeates the penumbra, but the umbra is completely devoid of the sun's rays.
Some light, refracted and bent around the earth's atmosphere, will still reach the moon. The moon, in total eclipse, is expected to shine in shades of red. Predictions call for anything from blood to copper. The reddish hue is created because the earth's atmosphere filters the blue light from the sun. There may be bands of color noticeable in the transition zone between the penumbra and the umbra.