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| Penumbral lunar eclipse region on map (Source: NASA) |
The first penumbral lunar eclipse of 2016 (first total solar eclipse was on March 8/9, 2016) will fall on March 23 this year. The 2016 penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible from most parts of Asia, Australia, North America and South America.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon and blocks sunlight from directly reaching the Moon. For penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon should be a full Moon, and the Sun, Earth and Moon must be imperfectly aligned in a straight line.
As pnembral lunar eclipse resembles like a normal full Moon, people often ask as 'why is there no annular lunar eclipse?' Actually there is but can be hardly seen, as the moon will only be a bit fainter.
The penumbral lunar eclipse will begin at 09:39 am UTC and end at 01:54 pm on 23 March 2016. The next penumbral lunar eclipse will be on September 16/17, 2016.
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