In the case of a lunar eclipse, some of the scattered sunlight in the upper stratosphere comes into contact with the ozone layer. This scattered light becomes a turquoise color when it touches the ozone layer.

This turquoise, when seen, will be observed in the fringe around the red core of the Earth’s shadow. Most of the turquoise-looking eclipse will occur at the beginning and end of the total eclipse, around 10:01 p.m. EST and 10:51 p.m. EST.

For additional information on the February 20, 2008 total lunar eclipse, please go to the NASA Eclipse Home Page “Eclipses During 2008”.

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