The last lunar eclipse of the year will take place on June 5, 2020. It is a rather unspectacular penumbra eclipse - it is still worth a look.
- On June 5, 2020 , the last place lunar eclipse of 2020 instead
- It is a so-called penumbra darkness
- This lunar eclipse is difficult to see with the naked eye - but it is possible
The full moon that rises on Friday, June 5, 2020 differs from most other full moons of the year - but that is visible to the naked eye hardly anyone: He is the Moonrise to 21:15 (the time varies depending on the observation by a few Minutes) already immersed in the penumbra of the earth - on June 5th the second and last penumbra eclipse of the year 2020 will take place. Most recently, one could admire the phenomenon of a penumbra eclipse from Germany in January 2020.
Penumbra eclipse on June 5, 2020: Hardly visible to the naked eye
At that time, many observers already found that a penumbra eclipse of the moon can hardly be seen with the naked eye. If you look closely or know the moon well through regular observations, you may notice a slight shade.
The full moon on June 5 dives at 19.45 - or about one and a half hours before moonrise - in the penumbra of the earth one. This is also a reason why the penumbra eclipse is unlikely to be noticed: the before-after comparison is difficult, and it is also relatively bright.
#Half shadow eclipse
On time at 20.10 it was clear about Asselheim in the Palatinate https://t.co/pQS2vWPkYL pic.twitter.com/ETKa791M9l
Schedule for the penumbra eclipse on June 5, 2020
Shortly after moonrise the center which is lunar eclipse reached: To 21:25 is the moon with a little more than half of the surface of its apparent diameter (about 59 percent) in the penumbra of the earth . The moon emerges completely from the penumbra at 11:04 p.m.
- Beginning of the penumbra eclipse: 7.45 p.m. (not visible)
- Moonrise in Frankfurt: 9:17 p.m.
- Sunset in Frankfurt: 9:30 p.m.
- Peak of the penumbra eclipse: 9:24 pm (visible)
- End of the penumbra eclipse: 11:04 p.m. (visible)
How to observe the penumbra eclipse on June 5, 2020
If you want to take a look despite the poor perception of the eclipse , you do not need any special equipment: Of course , you can see the moon with the naked eye, and - in contrast to observing a solar eclipse - you do not need any protective equipment. However, when observing the moon, it is always advisable to use binoculars or a telescope with which you can see significantly more details on the moon.
The moon rises in the southeast on June 5, 2020 and rises to the south in the sky. However, it can be seen relatively deep above the horizon during the entire penumbra eclipse, which should make observation difficult. It is therefore advisable to find an observation site with a clear view to the south-east - alternatively, a high-altitude observation site does the same.
What happens in a (penumbra) lunar eclipse?
But what actually happens in a (penumbra) lunar eclipse? The earth is between the sun and the moon . In this constellation, the sun shines on the earth, whose shadow falls on the moon . If the moon moves through the umbra of the earth , a lunar eclipse takes place and the moon darkens.
In the event of a total lunar eclipse , a so-called “blood moon” * occurs, the moon glowing reddish. If the moon only passes through the penumbra of the earth , a light, gray and barely perceptible shadow lies over the earth's satellite - so it is not completely eclipsed.
One of many moon videos I took tonight, had to cut this short as its nearly 5 mins long ♂️ pic.twitter.com/8g7miuLcpt
- Richie (@ Baldrick_001) May 27, 2020Waiting for the next lunar eclipse - it won't be until 2022
In the past few years, there have been some lunar eclipses in Germany - among them the longest total lunar eclipse of the century on July 27, 2018 *. The last total lunar eclipse for a long time could be seen in January 2019. The last partial lunar eclipse in Germany could be followed in July 2019.
Now it is time to wait: Only on May 16, 2022 will there be a total lunar eclipse , which can be seen from Germany - but the moon will go down during the eclipse. A partial lunar eclipse will not be seen in Germany until October 28, 2023 .
By Tanja Banner
* fr.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital central editorial office.
List of rubric lists: © picture alliance / Henning Kaiser / dpa