Partial Lunar eclipse of the Hunter's Moon

 There will be a partial eclipse of the Moon on October 28. The eclipse occurs between 8.35pm and 9.53 pm with maximum occurring at 9.14 pm.

An eclipse of the Moon occurs when the Moon passes into the shadow of the Earth. We see the Moon because it reflects light from the Sun. Moonlight is in fact reflected sunlight. During an eclipse of the Moon some light from the Sun passes through the atmosphere of the Earth and is bent or refracted onto the surface of the Moon. The Earth’s atmosphere blocks the blue end of the spectrum, only allowing the red part to get through. This is why, during an eclipse, the Moon turns a coppery red colour. As this month's eclipse is partial, with only the southerly part of the Moon entering the Earth’s shadow, only the bottom part of the Moon will appear to change colour.

The full moon in October is known as the Hunter’s Moon. Following on from the Harvest Moon, this was the month when people would stock their larders with meat for the coming winter. The extra light from the moon this month helped them to locate their prey.

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