The year's first lunar eclipse has begun

The year's first lunar eclipse has begun.

The eclipse is expected to end at 18:23.

This eclipse is a Total Lunar Eclipse and will be observed in Asia, Australia, North America and South America, the Arctic, Antarctica, and the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. In Azerbaijan, however, it will not be possible to observe the eclipse as the Moon will be below the horizon and during daylight hours.

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, limiting direct sunlight from reaching the Moon's surface. At this time, the Earth's shadow falls on the Moon, causing a lunar eclipse. Lunar eclipses usually last longer than solar eclipses because the Earth's shadow area is larger than the Moon's shadow. A lunar eclipse only occurs during the full moon phase. A total lunar eclipse can last up to approximately 105 minutes. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be observed from anywhere the Moon is above the horizon.

The phenomenon known as a "Blood Moon" also occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when the Moon's color turns reddish. This is because only the long-wavelength part of the Sun's rays passing through the Earth's atmosphere during an eclipse can reach the Moon's surface, at which point it turns reddish.

It should be noted that there are 3 types of lunar eclipses. A Total Lunar Eclipse is observed when the Moon passes entirely into the Earth's umbra. A Partial Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes partially into the Earth's umbra. A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Moon only enters the Earth's penumbra. During this time, the Moon darkens slightly, making the difference difficult to discern with the human eye.