A total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Taken at Waratah Villiage with the Christmas lights in the foreground. Picture by Marina NeilA total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The southern limb of the Moon will pass through the center of the Earth's shadow. The Moon is turning shades of rust and blood red tonight in the last total lunar eclipse for three years. Picture by Marina NeilA total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The southern limb of the Moon will pass through the center of the Earth's shadow. The Moon is turning shades of rust and blood red tonight in the last total lunar eclipse for three years. Picture by Marina Neil
A total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The southern limb of the Moon will pass through the center of the Earth's shadow. The Moon is turning shades of rust and blood red tonight in the last total lunar eclipse for three years. Picture by Marina NeilA total lunar eclipse on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The southern limb of the Moon will pass through the center of the Earth's shadow. The Moon is turning shades of rust and blood red tonight in the last total lunar eclipse for three years. Picture by Marina Neil
Amateur astronomers were treated to a blushing moon over the Hunter's skies overnight as the last total lunar eclipse until 2025 appeared in the night sky.
The eclipse began at 8.09pm AEDT as the moon entered the earth's shadow before an 85-minute total eclipse began about 9.16pm.
The red hue is caused by the little bit of sunlight that skims through the earth's atmosphere and into the part of space kept shadowed from the sun.
"Just as sunrise and sunset are an orange or reddish colour, so is this light that skims through the earth's atmosphere and out into space," Australian National University astrophysicist Brad Tucker said.
While parts or all of Australia will be in position for a handful of penumbral or partial lunar eclipse in the next two years, the next total lunar eclipse won't occur until March 2025.
The eastern seaboard will not see a total lunar eclipse until March 2026.
Preparations are underway in Exmouth for a rare total lunar eclipse scheduled to occur in April 2023.
