Copper Lunar Eclipse

by Nick Coons
Nov 5, 2003

If you thought that beautiful desert sunsets were the only red miracle in our evening skies, you are sorely mistaken. This Saturday early evening, Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

will be witness to a full lunar eclipse shortly after sunset. While the earth's shadow begins to cross in front of the moon, the majority of the refracted light off the earth's atmosphere that hits the moon will be red, giving it a lovely red glow. At least, that's how I'm told it works.

This is basically the same phenomenon that causes our sunsets to appear red. First, the moon will appear to have a chunk missing as it begins passing through the earth's shadow. As it becomes more engulfed, it will take on a copper color. Finally, it will begin to emerge from the shadows of the earth and the process will appear to be reversing.

The entire eclipse will only last about 25 minutes. Since the moon is only passing through the outer edge of the earth's cone-shaped shadow, this is a much shorter time than most eclipses last.

It seems we in Arizona

Arizona	(air-i'-ZON-u')
The State of Arizona comprises the extreme south-western portion of the United States. It is bounded on the north by Utah, on the east by New Mexico, on the south by Mexico, and on the west by California and Nevada.

have had a lot of photo opportunities recently – This is another one. Keep that camera film rolling and those smart media cards filling.