Cobourg residents who stayed up late Thursday night were treated to a spectacular celestial show as the full moon slipped deep into Earth’s shadow over Lake Ontario.
The lunar eclipse reached its peak at 12:12 a.m. Friday, August 28, with approximately 96.2 per cent of the Moon’s surface darkened during the maximum phase.
The eclipse began Thursday evening, with the penumbral phase starting at 9:23 p.m. The partial eclipse began at 10:33 p.m., gradually covering the Moon as Earth moved between the Sun and the Moon.
By shortly after midnight, the eclipse was at its most dramatic, with the Moon taking on a deep copper, orange and crimson appearance as it passed through Earth’s shadow.
The partial eclipse continued until 1:51 a.m., followed by the final penumbral stage. The entire event ended at approximately 3:01 a.m.
For those watching from Cobourg’s waterfront, the darkened Moon provided a striking backdrop over Lake Ontario, with the familiar shoreline and water adding to the spectacle.
Unlike a solar eclipse, there was no danger in viewing the lunar eclipse with the naked eye, allowing skywatchers to simply look up and enjoy the show.
The eclipse was visible across large portions of North America, South America, Europe and Africa, although viewing conditions varied depending on location and weather.
For Cobourg and other communities along Lake Ontario, the late-night timing meant the eclipse could be enjoyed from the waterfront, backyards and other locations with an unobstructed view of the southern sky.
It was a reminder that sometimes the best show in town doesn’t require a ticket — just a clear night and a willingness to stay awake after midnight.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
