November Lunar Eclipse
November 24, 2003
Provided by: Jean-Marie Maillard
Summary authors & editors: Jean-Marie Maillard; Jim Foster
On this photo, taken on November 9, 2003 from Belgium, the Earth's shadow is inexorably creeping across the Moon's creamy surface -- a total lunar eclipse is in progress. With a lunar eclipse, the shadow we see is a result of our bulky planet blocking out the Sun's light. During all other times, the shape of the Moon and how it's shaded is determined by our perspective relative to the Sun and Moon. If a 90 degree angle is formed between the Moon, Earth and Sun, we'll see the Moon about half-illuminated.
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