if you look at the moon over the course of a few weeks
you probably noticed that look slightly different every day the change in its
shadow is based on where the moon is in its orbit
we call the cycle the phases of the Moon and it occurs roughly once a month at
least twice a year however
something quite different happens the moon passes through the shadow cast by
the earth
causing it to look extremely unusual for a short period of time
from the earth the moon will appear to darken and turn a deep read before
eventually returning to normal
this is called a lunar eclipse if we were to look at what happens from space
during the eclipse
it would go something like this: first the moon passes through what's called
the penumbra
with the sun's light is only partially obscured this result in only a slight
darkening at the moon
as the Moon continues on its path however it enters would call the Umbra
were all direct light from the Sun is blocked but if the Sun is blocked
why does the internet do when Mike from the sun goes by the side of the earth
it passes through a long and thick layer hurts atmosphere shorter wavelengths of
sunlight like blue
are scattered by the atmosphere so by the time the latest finished a trip to
the moon
more the longer wavelengths like bread our leftover I'm here
the same thing happened at sunset as the ground to stand on gradually passes in
tonight as the eclipse ends
the movies the Umbra returns to its normal color and then leave the penumbra
frightening and resuming its original cycle overall
the whole process lasts only from a few minutes to a few hours still have to be
quick if you want to see a
but as long as you're willing to stay awake you catch the moon is you won't
see it too often
the