                        Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2026 August 25
    Many images of Earth's Moon are shown each partly eclipsed. The lunar
      images are arranged so that the eclipsed dark part is toward the
      center, showing a large dark circle in the center. Please see the
                 explanation for more detailed information.

                Earth's Shadow Visualized with Lunar Eclipses
                    Image Credit & Copyright: Tim Martin

   Explanation: What’s creating this giant hole in space? This is not a
   black hole — it’s a shadow. It’s Earth’s shadow. Since at least the
   time of Aristotle, people have noted that Earth's dark shadow on the
   Moon during a partial lunar eclipse is circular -- although never a
   whole circle. Using modern digital technology, though, the images of
   multiple lunar eclipses can be combined to show Earth's complete
   shadow. The featured image compilation by a perseistent
   astrophotographer is constructed from 22 years of lunar eclipses. The
   Moon is not eclipsed every month (moon-th) because the Moon's orbit is
   slightly tilted relative to Earth's orbit. Close inspection of some
   lunar eclipse images shows a faint blue band where Earth’s atmosphere
   filters out more red sunlight than blue. Later this week, a new lunar
   eclipse will occur and will be best visible in parts of North and South
   America, Europe, and Africa.

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                     Tomorrow's picture: lion head space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
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