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Photo Peter Byrne\/PA Wire<\/p>\n Photo Peter Byrne\/PA Wire<\/p>\n
Amelia Jones\u00a0<\/p>\n
Skywatchers will have another chance to see an unusual celestial event in the early hours of Friday, August 28, when a deep partial lunar eclipse takes place.<\/p>\n
It follows the partial solar eclipse on August 12, which saw the Moon pass in front of the Sun and cover a huge proportion of it across Wales. In Cardiff, around 93% of the Sun was obscured, while parts of the UK saw between roughly 90% and 96% coverage.<\/p>\n
While the two events are happening remarkably close together, they are very different types of eclipse.<\/p>\n
During a solar eclipse, the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking some or all of the Sun from our view. This time, it is the Earth that moves between the Sun and Moon.<\/p>\n
As the Moon passes through Earth\u2019s shadow, part of its surface will become noticeably darker and may take on a reddish or coppery colour. This happens because sunlight passing through Earth\u2019s atmosphere is scattered and refracted towards the Moon.<\/p>\n
Solar and lunar eclipses commonly occur within roughly two weeks of each other because of the alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon.<\/p>\n
This lunar eclipse is completely safe to view with the naked eye, although binoculars or a telescope could make the changing colours and shadows easier to see.<\/p>\n
The eclipse begins at around 2.23am, when the Moon enters Earth\u2019s lighter penumbral shadow.<\/p>\n
The partial eclipse begins at 3.33am, before reaching its maximum at around 5.12am. At that point, roughly 93% of the Moon\u2019s visible surface will be within Earth\u2019s darkest shadow.<\/p>\n
The Moon will be low in the sky by then, so you\u2019ll need a clear view towards the south-western or western horizon.<\/p>\n
In Cardiff, the maximum eclipse is expected at around 5.12am, making the early morning the best opportunity to catch the most dramatic part of the event.<\/p>\n
You can find out more about how to see it here.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Support our Nation today<\/p>\n For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an Get more trusted Welsh news<\/p>\n Choose Nation.Cymru as a preferred source in Google News to see more of our journalism.\n <\/p>\n
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