Astronomers divided over whether Saturday night’s total lunar eclipse will colour the Moon

WILL we be tickled pink? Astronomers are divided over whether tonight’s total lunar eclipse will colour the Moon red.

Are we in for a colourful lunar eclipse?

ASTRONOMERS are divided over whether tonight’s total lunar eclipse will colour the Moon.

When the Moon passes into the Earth’s shadow it can appear blood red, dusty pink, burnt orange or somewhere in between.

Enthusiastic forecasts of a “spectacular pink colour” are tempered against predictions of a more subtle rosy hue, or maybe no discernible colour at all.

One thing is certain, it will be brief, with just 12 minutes of “totality” from 10:24 to 10:36pm Adelaide time (half an hour earlier in the eastern states).

Astro Space News editor David Reneke is excited about a “spectacular pink colour” at maximum eclipse, 10.30pm SA time.

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“Get set for an astronomical experience like no other across Australia,” he said.

“We’re going to be treated to a total lunar eclipse on Saturday evening, April 4, with the Moon expected to take on an eerie pinkish glow. Lunar eclipses are one of the most spectacular sights in astronomy and one not to be missed.”

Adelaide’s Ian Musgrave of Astroblog believes the moon will be tinged with a “rosy” hue.

He offers a guide to taking photos of the eclipse on the website astroblogger.blogspot.com.au and times for the astronomical event across Australia.

“The eclipse occurs reasonably high in the sky and is good viewing from almost anywhere,” Mr Musgrave said.

“You don’t need special filters or fancy equipment to watch the lunar eclipse, you just need your eyes and somewhere comfortable to sit and watch. Binoculars or a telescope are a plus, but not necessary.”

Under a copper moon ... Source: ThinkStock

Advertiser Starwatch columnist Joe Grida lowered expectations.

“The Moon’s face will begin to darken slightly,” he said.

“Don’t expect the Moon to go a deep bronze colour during this eclipse, as it only just skims the central part of the shadow, known as the umbra.”

As Mr Grida explained, this is among the shortest of eclipses — there hasn’t been one this short since 1529, 486 years ago. But it’s worth going out to take a look because the next lunar eclipse in Australia is not until 2018.

Adelaide Planetarium lecturer Paul Curnow was cautious about making predictions.

“It’s worth going out and having a look,” he said.

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“It’s hard to predict how red it’s going to be ... It all depends on things like if there’s been a lot of volcanic eruptions, or dust in the atmosphere. And if it passes right through the centre of the umbra you’re going to get more of that red colour.”

And Mr Reneke believes the best view would be from the moon, looking back to Earth.

“Astronauts on the Moon would see an amazing sight,” Mr Reneke said.

“They’d actually see the Earth eclipsing the Sun! They would see a bright red ring around

the Earth as they watched all the sunrises and sunsets happening simultaneously around the world.”

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Originally published as Astronomers divided over whether Saturday night’s total lunar eclipse will colour the Moon