UOIT astrophysicist shines light on September 27 total lunar eclipse

Ontario residents will get a chance to enjoy a major celestial treat on the evening of Sunday, September 27. If the weather is clear, there will be an opportunity to see a rare combination of a so-called ‘supermoon’ and a total lunar eclipse. University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Astrophysicist Dr. Rupinder Brar says this is a special event you should try to observe.

“A supermoon occurs when we get a full moon at the same time as the moon being in its closest position to the Earth in it elliptical orbit,” explains Dr. Brar, Senior Lecturer, UOIT Faculty of Science. “This proximity makes the moon visually brighter and bigger by 30 per cent than it typically appears. Coupling a supermoon together with a lunar eclipse is very rare. The last time it happened was in 1982 and the next one won’t happen until 2033.”

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves completely into the Earth’s shadow. The Moon grows darker and redder as the light from the sun can no longer directly reach the moon. The dark reddish appearance is due to the small amount of sunlight that gets refracted through the earth’s atmosphere toward the moon.  

“Anyone can observe the event without the aid of a telescope,” says Dr. Brar. “Simple binoculars or a telephoto lens on a camera gives a slightly better view, but they aren’t necessary to enjoy this large celestial event. You also don’t need any protection for your eyes.  Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to stare at.”

The best time to start observing would be just after 9 p.m. on Sunday evening before the moon begins to move into the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow. 

Lunar eclipse schedule:

• 9:07 p.m. – Partial eclipse begins
• 10:11 p.m. – Total eclipse begins
• 10:47 p.m. – Maximum eclipse
• 11:23 p.m. – total eclipse ends
• 12:27 a.m. (Monday) – Partial eclipse ends

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Bryan Oliver
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Ontario Tech University
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bryan.oliver@uoit.ca