Eclipses of the moon always occur when the moon is full and the earth comes between the sun and the moon, causing the Earth's shadow to darken the moon. The September 7 full moon is known as the "Corn moon", its native American name. The next full moon is the Harvest moon, falling this year in October on Erev Succoth.
When the full eclipse begins the moon often turns red, caused by the refracted light of the sun along the circumference of the earth falling on the darkened moon. The Earth's atmosphere essentially acts as a lens bending sunlight onto the darkened moon. You are essentially seeing all of the sunsets on earth projected onto the moon at the same time. In the Internet era this has come to be called "The Blood Moon", very clickbaitey. And Cool!
A lunar eclipse is a very bright event (remember the moon is full), except for totality when the moon is completely darkened by the Earth's shadow, and can be seen everywhere and anywhere, even in light polluted skys, in Israel at the same times with your naked eye. However, any optical aid such as by binoculars or telescope enhances the view, especially during totality. Note however that the eclipse begins with the moon rising low in the Eastern sky, which will require a clear Eastern horizon to view. So you might want to join us in the open desert sky with a star tour starting at 7:30pm on Sunday September 7, just as the eclipse begins.
To get information and book a tour: Get information and book a star tour . Or find your own clear view of the East.
We will be using our new digital telescope on our star tour, which will allow everyone to see a real time view of the eclipse as it progresses on our tablet screen. Other wonders of the night sky will be viewed as well.
