Solar Eclipse 2011

Often, the moon turns brown in an eclipse, but this time he became a copper red or orange color. Thursday eclipse of the moon sent a "red" color. The lunar face is usually colored by sunlight refracted through our atmosphere. However, the intensity of color depends on the amount of ash and dust into the atmosphere.

According to the NASA moon, a cold, rocky body about 2160 miles in diameter has no own light but shines by sunlight reflected from the surface.

The Moon orbits the Earth once every 29 ½ days as it orbits the planet, changing its position relative to the Sun causes our natural satellite to cycle through a series of phases.

U.S. Space Agency spokesman said that the "eclipse of the Moon (or lunar eclipse) can only take place on the Full Moon."

The phenomenon known as "total lunar eclipse" occurs when the planet completely blocks the sun, the moon causes a darkening and appear to change color.

But the moon is not completely faded, as the Earth's atmosphere bends or breaks, indirect light against it, which gives off a soft light.

As indirect light must pass through the Earth's atmosphere before reaching the moon will be no clouds or dust in the atmosphere block of color in the sunlight.

"The total phase of a lunar eclipse is so beautiful and interesting precisely because of the filtering effect of refraction and the Earth's atmosphere," said a NASA spokesman.

Astronomers say what causes the moon seems to change color, often yellow, orange or red tones.

The exact color depends on the weather.

The specific phenomenon that happened on Thursday was known as a "lunar eclipse depth."

However, the intensity of color depends on the amount of ash and dust into the atmosphere.

Scientists said the eclipse may be safely observed with the naked eye.

The next total lunar eclipse will take place December 10.

There will be a partial solar eclipse on July 1 and November 25, but the next total solar eclipse will not occur until November 13 next year.