Will We See the Lunar Eclipse in Northern Ohio?

The short answer is probably not. The long answer is...maybe, depending on where you are.


This eclipse is a bit different than other eclipses because of the position of the moon in relation to the shadow of the earth. This eclipse called a "Penumbra Eclipse" because the moon enters the Penumbra area of the Earth's shadow. The Penumbra is a region of the shadow that is not completely obsured from the rays of the sun. This lighter shadow is a result of the relative size of the Sun to the Earth. 

Due to the path of the moon around the earth, the best place to view this lunar eclipse will be in Asia and in western North America.  In northern Ohio, the eclipse will occur when the moon is almost below the horizon (one degree above) and only for a few minutes. Unless you live on a hilltop away from trees along the horizon, the chances of seeing it will be remote. The times for viewing in Cleveland are below.

December 21, 2010 was the last time we had a total lunar eclipse visible in northern Ohio. The next penumbral lunar eclipse will be next May the 25th.

The next Total Lunar Eclipse (moon passes directly into the earth's shadow) for northern Ohio will be APRIL 15, 2014. Good luck!