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Astronomy fans await total lunar eclipse

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Astronomy fans await total lunar eclipse
The 1997 total eclipse of the moon seen in Cologne. Photo: DPA

There will be a total lunar eclipse on Wednesday night, with fabulous views of the Moon reddening, disappearing and then reappearing expected across Germany.

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The Moon will seem red and shimmering when it rises at around 9 pm, before it starts to disappear in the shadow created by the Earth which will be directly between the Sun and Moon. The so-called totality will occur between 9:22 pm and 11:03 pm.

The initial phenomenon – often described as a blood moon – is created by the long-wave light reaching it from the sun having passed through the earth’s atmosphere before reaching the Moon.

Usually even when there is a red-coloured moon, it passes above or below the earth’s shadow. The confluence of full moon and eclipse as well as reasonable weather for sky-watching in much of Germany should grant millions a night-time spectacle.

Experts say people wishing to see the total eclipse should seek out a southwest facing spot as high up as possible.

DPA/The Local/hc

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