KCCI Viewers Share Photos of 95% Lunar Eclipse in Iowa

Q: What hidden atmospheric trick caused Thursday's nearly swallowed moon to take on a dramatic, coppery-red glow?

The moon’s coppery-red glow was caused by Earth’s atmosphere acting like a giant filter and lens. As the Moon moved deep into Earth’s shadow during the partial lunar eclipse, direct sunlight was blocked. But some sunlight still passed through the outer edge of Earth’s atmosphere. There, shorter blue wavelengths were scattered away, while longer red and orange wavelengths were bent, or refracted, into the shadow and onto the Moon’s surface. That is the same basic effect that makes sunsets and sunrises look red. During a deep lunar eclipse, it is essentially as if all of Earth’s sunrises and sunsets are being projected onto the Moon at once, giving it the dramatic copper, rust, or crimson color seen by viewers across Iowa. The exact shade can vary depending on conditions in Earth’s atmosphere. Dust, smoke, volcanic particles, and clouds can make the eclipsed Moon appear darker or redder. Because this eclipse covered about 95% to 96% of the Moon, it came close enough to totality for that atmospheric effect to stand out strongly, even though it was not technically a total lunar eclipse.

3 articles · Updated · KCCI Des Moines · Aug 28

Peak coverage reached about 95% just before 11:15 p.m., leaving only a sliver of the moon visible during Thursday night’s partial lunar eclipse.
Clear skies across Iowa created strong viewing conditions, allowing KCCI viewers to photograph the event and send in images.
The submitted photos highlighted the eclipse as seen from around the state, turning the late-night skywatch into a community showcase.