Red moon in ‘almost total’ lunar eclipse across Japan

The Yomiuri Shimbun

November 20, 2021

A partial lunar eclipse was observed across Japan on Friday evening.

In what was called an “almost total lunar eclipse,” about 98% of the moon was hidden in the shadow of the Earth. This meant most of the sunlight that illuminates the moon was blocked by the Earth.

Even though it was a partial lunar eclipse, the moon shone dark red because it was illuminated by sunlight that passed by the edge of the Earth and traveled through the atmosphere, becoming a feeble red light.

An observation event was held at Shibuya Sky, a 230-meter-high rooftop observation facility in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo.

“I was surprised to see the moon gradually turning red from yellow,” said a 7-year-old boy from Suginami Ward, Tokyo, who visited the facility with his mother.

According to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, the next partial lunar eclipse will be seen across Japan in November 2086. A total lunar eclipse will be visible nationwide in November next year.