A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Romania on Thursday night to Friday. The phenomenon begins before sunrise, and the Moon will almost completely enter the Earth’s shadow.
However, from Romania, we will only see the first part of the eclipse. The Moon will set below the horizon before the phenomenon reaches its maximum point, and residents in the western part of the country will be the most advantaged. According to the Admiral Vasile Urseanu Astronomical Observatory, the eclipse will be visible from approximately half of the country’s territory.
What Happens in the Sky
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, and the shadow of our planet falls on the natural satellite.
The Moon first passes through the penumbra, the area where the Sun's light is only partially blocked. The change is difficult to observe at the beginning. Then it enters the actual shadow of the Earth, and a gradually expanding dark area appears on the lunar disk.
The covered part may take on reddish or brownish hues, as some of the Sun's light passes through the Earth's atmosphere and reaches the Moon, filtered.
Although the eclipse is classified as partial, it will be a very deep one: at the maximum moment, approximately 96% of the lunar disk's surface will be in the Earth's shadow. This moment will no longer be visible from Romania.
What Time Does the Eclipse Begin
The entire phenomenon will last just over five hours, but from Romania, it can only be observed until the Moon sets.
- 04:24 – The Moon enters the penumbra. Its brightness begins to decrease, but the change will be subtle.
- 05:34 – the partial phase begins. The Moon enters the Earth's shadow, and a progressively larger dark area will appear on its disk.
- Around 06:30 – The Moon sets in Bucharest. The time varies from one city to another.
- 07:13 – the eclipse reaches its maximum point, but the Moon will already be below the horizon in Romania.
The starting times are the same throughout the country. Only the moment when the Moon sets differs.
The Western Part of the Country Is More Advantaged
In Bucharest, the Moon will set around 06:30. In Timișoara, the sunset will occur around 06:55, according to astronomer Adrian Șonka from the Admiral Vasile Urseanu Astronomical Observatory.
Residents in the western part of the country will thus have approximately 20–25 extra minutes to observe the eclipse and will be able to see a larger portion of the lunar disk covered by shadow.
The Astronomical Observatory indicates that the eclipse will be visible from approximately half of Romania's territory.
Where Is It Best Seen From
The Moon will be very low in the sky, towards the west-southwest. For good visibility, a location with a clear horizon in this direction is needed.
Tall buildings, trees, or hills may hide the Moon just before it sets. A higher point, an open field, or the edge of a locality provide better observation conditions.
The eclipse can be observed with the naked eye and poses no danger to vision. Protective glasses, as in the case of a solar eclipse, are not necessary.
A pair of binoculars, a telescope, or a telescope can make it easier to observe the Earth's shadow edge, lunar craters, and color changes.