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Probably a dumb question but about tonights (or last night) lunar eclipse. (fedia.io)

submitted 3 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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If its a total lunar eclipse why does one edge remains brighter than the rest?

I have been googling for an answer for a while and cant find it. Even pictures of previous total lunar eclipses are the same. Is it because that side remain closer to the edge of the umbra? Or is it caused by how light behaves; Or because the surface of the moon is more reflective on that part.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 days ago

This is the answer. The moon is passing through phases as it orbits and isn't perfectly aligned so there will always be shading and color variations.

I'm posting this video because they animate the different types of eclipse and also explain why it's red. So now it's just understanding that everyone's view is always "off to the side" so there is a gradient of color and brightness.

https://youtu.be/VW2xRR75lKE