London is gearing up for its greatest solar eclipse in 27 years with crowds set to flock to the capital’s scenic viewpoints. Throughout the week crowds have formed outside corner shops as Londoners frantically try to secure a pair of solar eclipse glasses.
But while excitement for the event on Wednesday, August 12, many will be unaware of the lunar eclipse taking place 16 days later. During the early hours of Friday, August 28 the Moon will seem to disappear in the sky as its view of the Sun is entirely blocked by Earth.
But as the lunar eclipse peaks at 5.12am with about 90 per cent of the Moon in Earth’s shadow it will turn into a dark red. This is because the Earth’s atmosphere scatters blue light meaning only red light will reach the Moon.
The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 3.33am and end at about 6.15am when dawn arrives. Keen astronomers are advised to find a high point with a clear view to the southwest.
How do solar and lunar eclipses differ?
Solar and lunar eclipses can only happen during an ‘eclipse season’ – when the Earth’s orbit is closest to the Sun. This lasts between 31 and 37 days and happens twice year.
When a new Moon falls during this period, its shadow can fall on Earth to create a solar eclipse. This new Moon can then pass into the Sun’s shadow, causing a lunar eclipse. But in order to get a full/partial solar or lunar eclipse one other key factor needs to fall in line.
The Moon orbits the Earth on an angle of about five degrees. This means most eclipses during eclipse season are missed because the new moons pass above or below the Sun from our point of view. But there are brief windows on the Moons trajectory where it does match the Earth’s alignment and its view of the Sun.
When this happens during eclipse season and a new Moon falls parts of Earth experience a solar eclipse. Then, two weeks later (if we’re still in the eclipse window), a full Moon will lead to a lunar eclipse.
When can I see the Perseid meteor shower?
Hobby astronomers are in for a treat this August with a dazzling meteor shower along with two eclipses. The Perseid meteor shower is visible at night throughout this week with thousands of bright streaks dashing through the darkness.
Peaking on Wednesday and Thursday, the shower can feature more than 100 meteors and fireballs every hour. Clear skies are expected on both nights so stargazers should be able to enjoy plenty of activity.
Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through streams of tiny pieces of debris left behind by comets and asteroids. The Perseids are caused by the planet slamming into meteoroids from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle.
This is the largest solar system object to regularly pass close to Earth and takes 133 years to complete a full orbit. It’s thought to be bigger than the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs.
The peak of a meteor shower occurs as we pass through the densest part of the debris. Despite the large amount of light produced, nearly all meteors are nothing more than miniscule dust particles.
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