Skygazers can watch a partial lunar eclipse over Germany this weekend. The phenomenon can be seen with the naked eye on Saturday evening (October 28th), as Carolin Liefke from the Association of Star Friends said. The Earth will darken the moon by a maximum of six percent. The full moon will look like it has been nibbled on: “You can see that something is missing.”
The partial lunar eclipse could be seen across Germany. But according to the German Weather Service in Offenbach, there will likely be cloud cover in many places. People in a strip from the North Sea coast to Lusatia and south of the Danube would have the best chances. In the far north, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, the Rhineland, Saarland, Baden-Württemberg and Lower Franconia, the chances are probably rather poor.
During such an event, the moon crosses the Earth’s orbit at the time of the full moon and partially enters the Earth’s umbra. The phenomenon should also be visible in cities, said Liefke. The moon will enter the Earth’s umbra at around 9:35 p.m., and the peak of the lunar eclipse is expected around 10:14 p.m. At 10:53 p.m. the moon leaves the Earth’s umbra again.
Observatories and astronomy clubs nationwide invite you to an astronomy day on October 28th and, in addition to a look at the starry sky, they also offer lectures and other supporting programs. A visit is therefore worthwhile even when the sky is cloudy, said Liefke. With the help of live streams from other locations, you can see what the phenomenon looks like under clear skies. The next lunar eclipse is expected in 2024.
