Total lunar eclipse Aug 28

In the early evening hours (Australian Eastern time) of August 28, sky watchers across much of the world can look on as the Moon crosses in to the shadow of the Earth, becoming completely immersed for one-hour and 30 minutes, a period of time much longer than most typical lunar eclipses. In fact, this eclipse will be the deepest and longest in 7 years.

Pic:The Moon takes on a strange reddish glow during a total eclipse due dust and pollution in the Earth’s atmosphere. Image credit: Shevill Mathers - Sky and Space Magazine.

At first, there is little change. The outskirts of Earth's shadow are as pale as the Moon itself; an onlooker might not even realize anything is happening. But as the Moon penetrates deeper in to the Earth's shadow, a startling metamorphosis occurs. Around 7.51pm (Australian Eastern time) the colour of the Moon changes from moondust-grey to sunset-red. This is totality, and it lasts for almost 90 minutes. Australia will be treated to a total lunar eclipse early in the evening of Tuesday August 28 and the moon is expected to take on an eerie 'reddish glow'. The most impressive part starts when the Moon's leading edge first enters the earth's shadow, and the eclipse begins,then over the next hour or so, the Moon will slip into total darkness. For Australian eastern states the partial eclipse begins 6.51 pm with the moon totally eclipsed at 7.52pm. This is when it will be at its most impressive. We won't see another one like this until 2010.Suddenly the moon begins to 'disappear'. From that time on, more and more of the Moon will be seen to be in shadow, as if a 'bite' were being taken out of it.As the eclipse progresses, the Moon's disc will take on an eerie coppery-red glow. This is because sunlight falling on the Moon has been filtered through the earth's atmosphere. In fact, the Moon can take on a range of colours, anywhere from dark brown and red to bright orange and yellow.The exact appearance depends on how much dust and clouds are present in the upper atmosphere at the time. The fully eclipsed moon won't be totally dark - and that's what makes totality delightful.Total eclipses tend to be very dark after major volcanic eruptions or major bushfires since these events dump large amounts of volcanic ash into Earth's atmosphere.Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch. You don't need any kind of protective filters. It isn't even necessary to use a telescope. If you have a pair of binoculars, they will help magnify the view and will make the red coloration brighter and easier to see.