Despite the prevailing darkness, the moon is still visible today, a testament to its celestial presence.

The skies above Germany will be a spectacle to behold on December 31, 2028, as a total lunar eclipse is set to occur. This celestial event, a rare and beautiful sight, will turn the moon into a reddish-brown orb, often referred to as a "copper moon" rather than the common "blood moon."

If you've missed out on the previous lunar eclipses, fear not! The German Weather Service has forecast good weather conditions for Sunday, ensuring a clear view of this cosmic dance.

Unfortunately, the next total lunar eclipse in Germany will not be as easy to spot as one might hope. The moon will already be completely eclipsed when it rises, making it hard to see right at the horizon. However, the moon will move through the Earth's shadow during the eclipse, offering a unique opportunity to witness this fascinating event.

The lunar eclipse begins with the moon's entry into the Earth's penumbra at 17:27. The totality of the lunar eclipse begins around 19:30, and the event lasts until approximately 20:53.

While scientists may not find lunar eclipses as exciting as they once were, as they now understand the principles behind them, they remain a captivating event that can spark interest in astronomy. In fact, some observatories, such as those in Berlin, Stuttgart, and the Bodensee Planetarium in Kreuzlingen, will be open especially for this natural spectacle.

It's worth noting that if people were on the moon during a lunar eclipse, they would not experience complete darkness. Instead, they would see a sun eclipse caused by Earth. Meanwhile, astronauts on the moon during a lunar eclipse would witness the sun disappearing behind the dark Earth disk.

In contrast, next year on August 28, a partial lunar eclipse can be observed from Germany, but one would have to get up very early in the morning. Unfortunately, this event is not a total lunar eclipse. On the same date in 2023, the moon will already be completely eclipsed when it rises, making it hard to spot right at the horizon.

Looking further ahead, the next opportunity to observe a total lunar eclipse from America and Asia is on March 3, 2026. In Germany, the next total lunar eclipse will be on December 31, 2028. So mark your calendars and prepare for a stunning celestial display!