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Eclipse set to be 'best in years' Lunar eclipse wows sky watchers
(about 4 hours later)
Skywatchers eagerly awaiting Saturday's total lunar eclipse say that the spectacle could be the "best in years". Sky watchers across the world have been enjoying the first total lunar eclipse in more than three years.
The eclipse began at 2018 GMT, with the Moon totally immersed in the shadow of the Earth between 2244 and 2358 GMT.The eclipse began at 2018 GMT, with the Moon totally immersed in the shadow of the Earth between 2244 and 2358 GMT.
During "totality", only light that has been filtered through the Earth's atmosphere reaches the Moon's surface, making it appear a reddish colour. During "totality" the moon appeared reddish in colour as only light that had been filtered through the Earth's atmosphere reached the Moon's surface.
The eclipse is visible from the whole of Europe, Africa, South America, and eastern parts of the US and Canada. The eclipse was visible from the whole of Europe, Africa, South America, and eastern parts of the US and Canada.
"They are beautiful events," said Robert Massey, spokesman for the UK's Royal Astronomical Society. name="text">
"They have a really romantic feel to them as you look up because the Moon, which is normally pearly white, takes on this reddish colour." The coppery red Moon was visible across large areas of the UK thanks to clear skies.
name="text"> He added that it was totally safe to observe and no protective filters were needed because the Moon would actually be less bright than during a normal full moon. class="bodl" href="#graph">See where the eclipse could be seen
class="bodl" href="#graph">See where the eclipse will be visible Robin Scagell, from the Society for Popular Astronomy, said that it was "one of the best lunar eclipses from Britain for years".
Mr Massey encouraged everyone to witness the "spectacular" event.
TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE Occurs when Moon passes into Earth's shadowPenumbra: Region where Earth blocks some (but not all) Sun raysUmbra: Zone where Earth blocks all direct sunlight - total eclipseTOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE Occurs when Moon passes into Earth's shadowPenumbra: Region where Earth blocks some (but not all) Sun raysUmbra: Zone where Earth blocks all direct sunlight - total eclipse
"It is like Mars suddenly coming a thousand times closer and just hanging there in the sky above you." "It was fascinating to watch the Moon's graceful movement through the shadow of the Earth and check its coppery glow," he said.
Lunar eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a near-perfect line in space.Lunar eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in a near-perfect line in space.
The Moon travels through the long cone-shaped shadow that the Earth casts in space. At totality, the only light reaching the Moon's surface at this point has been refracted through the Earth's atmosphere.The Moon travels through the long cone-shaped shadow that the Earth casts in space. At totality, the only light reaching the Moon's surface at this point has been refracted through the Earth's atmosphere.
The appearance of the lunar surface varies according to how much dust is in the Earth's upper atmosphere. For example, following major volcanic eruptions, the Moon appears to be a deep red and almost invisible.The appearance of the lunar surface varies according to how much dust is in the Earth's upper atmosphere. For example, following major volcanic eruptions, the Moon appears to be a deep red and almost invisible.
As there have not been any recent sizeable eruptions, astronomers are predicting that the Moon will be bathed in a bright orange light. As there have not been any recent sizeable eruptions, astronomers had predicted that the Moon would be bathed in a bright orange light.
'Best in years' "They are beautiful events," Robert Massey, spokesman for the UK's Royal Astronomical Society, said ahead of the event.
Professional astronomers will also be enjoying the spectacle rather than worrying about any science, Mr Massey says.
KEY TIMES FOR ECLIPSE Moon enters penumbra: 2018Moon enters umbra: 2130Totality begins: 2244Mid-eclipse: 2321Totality ends: 2358Moon leave umbra: 0111Moon leaves penumbra: 0224 (All times are in GMT)KEY TIMES FOR ECLIPSE Moon enters penumbra: 2018Moon enters umbra: 2130Totality begins: 2244Mid-eclipse: 2321Totality ends: 2358Moon leave umbra: 0111Moon leaves penumbra: 0224 (All times are in GMT)
"It is not like a solar eclipse where you get to see the outer atmosphere of the sun," explained Mr Massey. "They have a really romantic feel to them as you look up because the Moon, which is normally pearly white, takes on this reddish colour."
"There were some people in the past who measured how different parts of the Moon cooled down as the Earth's shadow passed over it, but I doubt much of that work is going on now." "It is like Mars suddenly coming a thousand times closer and just hanging there in the sky above you."
Robin Scagell, from the Society for Popular Astronomy, was hopeful that the event will be the "best in years".
"If the clouds stay away, it will be fascinating to watch the Moon's graceful movement through the shadow of the Earth," he said.
The last total eclipse visible from the UK was back in May 2004, but it was obscured by cloudy skies.The last total eclipse visible from the UK was back in May 2004, but it was obscured by cloudy skies.
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. name="graph"> 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.
And though eastern Australia, Alaska and New Zealand missed out on this total lunar eclipse they will be able to see the next one, due to take place on 28 August.
Are you planning to watch the eclipse? Where will you watch it? Tell us about your plans and if you take any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. Did you watch the eclipse? Where did you watch it? Tell us about your experiences and if you took any pictures you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk.
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