By Deanna Harris
The moon is set to transform from white to copper over New Zealand during a total lunar eclipse.
On December 21 some parts of the country will have the rare opportunity to see a total lunar eclipse. The last time this happened was three years ago.
“The eclipsed Moon is likely to appear copper coloured to us,” says Stardome astronomer Dr Grant Christie.
“This is caused by a scattering of sunlight as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, removing the blue light and passing mainly the red, some of which weakly illuminates the Moon.”
The eclipse will begin before moonrise, so in Auckland it will rise in partial eclipse. Further south the Moon will rise in total eclipse, while the lower South Island will see only the tail-end of the eclipse.
“You will need a clear eastern horizon to be able to see it though. Over water would be ideal, and the further north you are located the better.
“In Auckland the eclipsed Moon will not be visible until around 9pm. It will be necessary to use a higher vantage point like the top of one of our volcano cones to view this event,” says Mr Christie.
This will be the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years, the last being on February 20, 2008.
If you miss this one, there will not be another chance to see a total lunar eclipse until June 15 next year.
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