Astronomy enthusiasts will have a short night this Thursday, March 13, when their eyes will be turned to the sky to observe a total lunar eclipse. This will take place on Thursday night. Another eclipse, this time a partial solar one, is also scheduled for Saturday March 29 across Quebec. 

Philippe Moussette, president of Club Véga in Cap-Rouge, has long been interested in this scientific discipline. He shared information on upcoming eclipses with Neomedia. 

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow and no longer receives direct sunlight. The Moon then turns red. This color change is due to the Sun's light passing through the Earth's atmosphere, which is the only light that can reach the Moon.

In fact, this white light is filtered by our atmosphere, and the slightest variation in the quantity of particles present will affect the brightness of the eclipse. It's this filter that gives the Moon its red hue, as in a sunset. 

In fact, there are three types of eclipse. The first is the penumbral type, which occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's penumbra. The second, the partial eclipse, occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. The third, the total eclipse, is undoubtedly the best known. It occurs when the Moon passes completely through the Earth's shadow. For amateurs, this last type is the most spectacular. 

This Thursday, the partial eclipse will begin at 1:09 am and end at 4:47 am. Unlike a total solar eclipse, the lunar eclipse is best viewed with the naked eye, or with a pair of binoculars.  For amateurs, the total eclipse is scheduled to begin at 2:26 am. It will reach its apogee at 2:58 am. The end of the total eclipse will be visible at around 3:31 a.m., and the end of the partial phase at 4:47 a.m.  

A partial solar eclipse 

Later in March, on the 29th, you'll have to look up again for a partial solar eclipse. The phenomenon will be visible at sunrise, with the moon in crescent. For the Montreal region, the sun will rise at around 6:44 a.m. and the solar disk will be 52% eclipsed. 

On Earth, solar eclipses occur in a narrow band, and their duration can vary from a few seconds to a few minutes. During a total eclipse, it is possible to see a corona around the Sun. For many, this is the most striking event in astronomy, as the sky darkens. For a few moments, it's night in daylight. Total eclipses rarely occur in the same place.