Lunar Eclipse As Seen From The Moon

Total lunar eclipses are not uncommon, but do not happen in a even pattern. There can be two or three over a period of 18 months, and then none for two or three years. A penumbral lunar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the Sun, Earth and Moon line up in tandem, hence the moon is in the Earth's penumbra, or, when you look from the Moon, the Sun is partially covered by the Earth (partial eclipse.) For a discussion of lunar eclipses with diagram, see my post "Lights Out".

Now we get to see what it looks like from the moon! The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and broadcaster NHK released unique footage of the the Earth eclipsing the Sun as seen from the Moon on Wednesday. This was taken using the SELENE lunar orbiter's high definition camera. (JAXA/NHK)

For more about the SELENE mission, see the posts A Moon Maiden Takes Flight - Princess Kaguya , Top Of The Moon, and The Earth Also Rises.

Below is the world's first footage of an eclipse as seen from the Moon. Of course, from the earth we see this as a lunar eclipse, but to a viewer on the moon, it is a solar eclipse. This is a partial eclipse, so the sun is mostly eclipsed by the Earth, but one part shines like a diamond on a ring. Beautiful.



The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and broadcaster NHK released unique footage of the the Earth eclipsing the Sun as seen from the Moon on Wednesday. This was taken using the SELENE lunar orbiter's high definition camera. (JAXA/NHK)