Total Lunar Eclipse at Moonrise

Would you like to watch an interesting astronomical event without having to wait until the middle of the night? Well, on March 3 at supper time you'll be able to observe a total eclipse of the Moon. This eclipse occurs on a Saturday evening, so if the weather cooperates you can easily set aside a little time to enjoy this show. While we will not see the event in its entirety, all things considered, I think we are favorably positioned to get a unique view from the mid-totality phase to the end of the eclipse.

Why don't we see the eclipse from start to finish? Though a lunar eclipse can be seen over a large area of the Earth's surface, one obviously needs to have the Moon visible. Unfortunately the eclipse begins at 3:17 pm (EST) when the Moon is still well below our eastern horizon. We really don't miss much of the show because the Moon is then only entering the Earth's faint shadow called the penumbra, which is often difficult to detect in its early stages anyway.

Only as the Moon slides deeper into the penumbral shadow would a keen-eyed observer see a subtle shading of the lunar surface. Just prior to the Moon entering the Earth's dark umbral shadow should one notice that the moonlight looks somewhat subdued.

Again, we here in Rhode Island will not see the beginning of the dark umbral phase which begins at 4:30 pm, because the Moon will still be an hour away from rising. When the Moon finally rises above the eastern horizon at 5:30 pm, you'll see a very small percentage of the lunar surface still illuminated. Since the Moon will be very low in the sky, an unobstructed view toward the east will be a necessity. Totality will begin a mere fourteen minutes later at 5:44 pm as the Earth's shadow completely envelopes the Moon. And it should look somewhat strange. Why? The Sun sets at 5:36 pm, only eight minutes before totality begins, so the sky will still be very bright.

Totality continues for one hour and 14 minutes. The Moon will continue its rise into a darker sky as twilight deepens, so evidence of the eclipse should become more noticeable. Totality will be at its midpoint at 6:21 pm, and will end at 6:58 pm. It will be interesting to see what colors the lunar surface will display and if the Moon will completely disappear from the sky at mid-eclipse.

As the Earth, Moon and Sun move out of alignment, sunlight will once again illuminate the lunar surface. This event occurs at 6:58 pm. For the next hour and four minutes you can watch as the Earth's dark umbral shadow gradually uncovers the Moon. This phase ends at 8:12 pm.

From then until 9:26 pm the Earth's light penumbral shadow will progress over the lunar surface until it leaves it. In a dark sky you may be able to detect this shadow soon after the partial phase completes. Thereafter the remaining phase will hardly be noticeable at all as the Moon begins to return to full brightness.

If you have binoculars or a telescope, now will be the time to put them to good use. The more optical aid an observer uses, the more detail one will discern. Even if you don't have access to expensive equipment don't despair. Mother Nature provided you with a pair of the most valuable observing tools -- your eyes! Use them to follow the progress of this beautiful event.

If the weather is favorable make every effort to observe this beautiful celestial show. The next one in August is even less favorable for us in New England, for it occurs at moonset! So make the best of this upcoming opportunity.

Good luck, keep your eyes to the skies.

And don't forget that the Vernal Equinox (Spring) occurs on March 20 at 8:07 pm EDT (Eastern Daylight time).

And remember, Seagrave Observatory is also open every Saturday night for your viewing pleasure, weather permitting of course. Visit us at http://www.theskyscrapers.org for information.