Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 6/6/2011

Question
Hi Steven,
I have two questions those aren't directly answered in the below link but I think they are just there but I am not sure. Please help.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEcat5/figure.html

Please read Below quoted sentence from the same link.

"The bottom diagram in each figure is an equidistant cylindrical projection map of Earth showing the geographic region of visibility at each phase of the eclipse. This is accomplished using a series of curves showing where Moonrise and Moonset occur at each eclipse contact."

Before the Disc of the moon is fully covered by the Umbra, a part of Moon-disc will be covered hence partial phase of eclipse will be seen before the Totality starts. Same way, once the Totality is over the partial phase will come again. So In Total Lunar Eclipse, we can see phases in the order
1. Partial then
2. Total then
3. Partial again.

Based on the above facts,

Are below mentioned two sentences True?

1. In Each Total Lunar Eclipse the region from eastern U1 to Eastern U2 line, we will see a partial phase of eclipse, and in that region, there will be moon-set before the Totality of the Moon start. (Because as stated in NASA eclipse page, that all the U1, U2 etc. lines are curved based on moonrise and set.) So we can say that region within eastern U1 to Eastern U2 line can never experience total Lunar Eclipse. They can experience (See) Only partial Lunar Eclipse.

2. In Each Total Lunar Eclipse the region from western U3 to Western U4 line, only partial eclipse will be seen and in that region, there will be moon-rise before Partial Eclipse ends. So we can say that region within Western U3 to Western U4 lines can never experience total Lunar Eclipse. They can experience Only partial Lunar Eclipse.

Before giving explanation for above two questions, Please answer:
1. True/False
2. True/False

Thank You

Answer
It all really depends on the time of the eclipse.  If an eclipse starts at 8PM for example, then the hole eclipse will be visible.  If it starts at 3 AM, then some parts of the eclipse will not be visible as they would take place after the moon sets.

Steve