Despite the pervasive darkness, the moon remains visible today.

Total Lunar Eclipse to Grace German Skies on August 28, 2023

Get ready for a celestial spectacle as a total lunar eclipse is set to light up the night sky over Germany on August 28, 2023. This awe-inspiring event will see the Moon turning a reddish-brown colour, often referred to as a "Blood Moon".

The eclipse begins with the Moon's entry into the Earth's penumbra at 17:27, marking the start of the eclipse. The Moon will already be completely eclipsed when it rises during this eclipse, making it a particularly fascinating sight. The total phase of the eclipse begins around 19:30 and lasts until approximately 20:53.

For the best viewing experience, it's recommended to wait until the Moon is higher in the sky, above the haze layers. The Moon might be difficult to see directly at the horizon, but it will be more visible when it is higher in the sky. The further east you are, the better for viewing the Moon's rise.

While lunar eclipses are less exciting for scientists in terms of research, they are a beautiful event that can spark interest in astronomy. They occur when the Earth casts its full shadow (umbra) on the Moon, blocking direct sunlight. The Moon exits the umbra completely at 21:57, marking the end of the total eclipse phase.

Some observatories like those in Berlin, Stuttgart, and the Bodensee Planetarium in Kreuzlingen near Constance will be open for this natural spectacle. For those who wish to witness the partial lunar eclipse, it can be observed from Germany on the same day, but it will require waking up early in the morning.

An interesting tidbit: astronauts on the Moon during a lunar eclipse would not see the Moon turning red, as they would experience a sun eclipse caused by Earth. The reddish color of the Moon during an eclipse is caused by the Earth's atmosphere, which bends sunlight and weakens the short-wave blue component.

Smog in large cities or dust from agriculture could affect the color of the Moon during an eclipse. So, if the skies are clear and the air is clean, make sure to step outside and witness this breathtaking celestial event. The next total lunar eclipse visible from Germany will occur on December 31, 2028.