Supermoon Eclipse (May 26 2021)
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A telescopic visualization of the 2021 total lunar eclipse.
Credits: NASA’s Scientifc Visualization Studio
This month’s full moon is not only a supermoon but there will also be a total lunar eclipse visible to much of North America (weather permitting) on the morning of May 26 2021 as well as other parts of the world.
A total lunar eclipse happens when the moon fully enters the earth’s shadow or umbra. The total eclipse phase will be visible near moonset in Western Canada and the United States. Observers in Eastern Canada will be able to see the start of the eclipse or penumbral phase before the moon sets. Unfortunately the martimes will not be able to see any part of the eclipse but can still enjoy the supermoon.
Below is NASA’s sheet on the lunar Eclipse. The times are in UT and you can convert UTC to your time using one of the many converters on the web. They note the times when the moon first touches the different parts of the earth’s shadow. The umbra is the darkest part of the shadow (red in the diagram below) and penumbra (grey) is when only part of sun’s light is being obscurred by the earth.
Check out this interactive map from timeanddate.com to see when and what part of the eclipse will be visible in a location near you and other locations. Some examples:
Space.com’s page also has great information about the eclipse.
The last supermoon total eclipse was nearly 6 years ago, and the next total lunar eclipse that will be visible over North America is next May. For more information about lunar eclipses in the coming decade see NASA’s page.
The full moon in May is called Flower Moon and also goes by the names of Corn Planting Moon, the Milk Moon, and the Hare Moon.
Supermoons occur when the moon is at its closest approach to the earth during the new or full phase. The orbit of the moon is elliptical and the distance from the earth to the moon varies quite a bit. It can be as close as 356,500 km at perigee (average is 363,300 km) or as far as 406,700 km at apogee (average is 405,500 km). There is a significant difference in the size and brightness of a supermoon and micromoon. A supermoon is 14% bigger and 30% brighter than a micromoon.
