An image from NASA shows the Earth’s shadow being cast on the moon in a spectacular shot from the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS orbits Earth every 93 minutes, travelling at around 4.76 miles per second (7.66 kilometres per second), so astronauts had to be quick in order to get the perfect picture. The image from the space agency shows a waxing crescent moon in the distance above Earth’s atmosphere as the ISS travels above Algeria.
NASA said: “A waxing crescent Moon is pictured as the International Space Station orbited 260 miles above the north African country of Algeria.”
The moon doesn’t shine, it reflects – just like daytime here Earth, sunlight illuminates the Moon, but you cannot always see it.
When sunlight reflects off the near side, it is called a Full Moon.
The rest of the month we see parts of the daytime side of the moon, or phases.
These eight phases are, in order, new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter and waning crescent.
The cycle repeats once a month, or more precisely every 29.5 days.
NASA released the image just as the first Full Moon of the year and of the decade is due to peak.
The first Full Moon of 2020 is called the Wolf Moon – as it is every January.
Wolf Moon is called as such because wolves tend to howl more in the winter, and with it being peak mid-winter for the northern hemisphere, experts aptly gave it its name.
The first Full Moon of the decade will peak on Friday, January 10, where it will illuminate the skies.
As is typical of a January in the UK, much of the skies will be filled with clouds, but as the moon is so notable, it will still be easy to spot.
However, what makes this Full Moon even more special is that Earth’s shadow will be temporarily visible on the lunar surface in something known as a penumbral eclipse.
DON’T MISS
Lunar Eclipse 2020: Where can you see the Penumbral Eclipse?
Full Moon 2020: Is it a Full Moon today? Why is the Moon so big?
Eclipse 2020: Astronomers welcome a new ‘Eclipse season’
A penumbral eclipse is the result of the moon travelling through the Earth’s outer shadow, which casts darkness on the lunar satellite when the Earth and the moon align almost perfectly with the sun.
EarthSky.org said: “A penumbral eclipse is very subtle. At no time does a dark bite appear to be taken out of the moon.
“Instead, at mid-eclipse, observant people will notice a shading on the moon’s face. They might say the moon looks strange.”
The Wolf Moon Eclipse will be visible from Europe, Africa, Asia and parts of Australia.
Weather permitting, observers in these areas will witness a surreal Full Moon on Friday, January 10.
Source: Read Full Article