Tomorrow (Saturday) night, there will be a lunar eclipse which is promised to be one of the best in years. The eclipse begins at 2018 GMT, and the Moon will be totally immersed in the shadow of the Earth between 2244 and 2358 GMT. The lunar eclipse will be visible throughout Europe, Africa, South America, and the eastern parts of the US and Canada.
During "totality" (see figure below), the only light that will reach the Moon's surface will have been filtered through the Earth's atmosphere, making the moon appear reddish in color.
"If the clouds stay away, it will be fascinating to watch the Moon's graceful movement through the shadow of the Earth," said Robin Scagell, from the Society for Popular Astronomy, UK.
After Saturday's eclipse, the next to be seen over western Europe will take place on 21 February 2008, but in the middle of the night between 0300 GMT and 0400 GMT.
Key times for the eclipse (see figure at right):
- Moon enters penumbra: 2018
- Moon enters umbra: 2130
- Totality begins: 2244
- Mid-eclipse: 2321
- Totality ends: 2358
- Moon leave umbra: 0111
- Moon leaves penumbra: 0224
Cited story and image source.
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It was a gorgeous sight, really. Although the weather forecast for Germany wasn't promising, by 11 pm local time we had a clear sky, so I watched the spectacle through binoculars.
Waaaaa, it snowed and was overcast here in Ohio. The moon was a no-show. :o(
I live in Edinburgh, Scotland. Although it had been raining during the day the clouds cleared and we has a beautiful moon in the sky. It was an amazing sight to see.
It was a very cool looking moon last night! I got a good picture of the red moon and then 3 hrs. later.. Lots of bad stuff also happened last night to a few of my friends.. Coincidence?.. I think not!