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| Clear skies hope for Shetland view of lunar eclipse | Clear skies hope for Shetland view of lunar eclipse |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Skywatchers in Shetland may have a chance of observing a total lunar eclipse due to take place on Saturday. | Skywatchers in Shetland may have a chance of observing a total lunar eclipse due to take place on Saturday. |
| A four-minute opportunity to view the eclipse will occur from about 14:54 when the moon rises in Lerwick. | A four-minute opportunity to view the eclipse will occur from about 14:54 when the moon rises in Lerwick. |
| But forecasters have warned there is only a 60% chance of the skies being clear of cloud at the crucial moment. | |
| The eclipse, which will see the moon appear orange, will be most dramatic in Asia, Australasia and North America. | The eclipse, which will see the moon appear orange, will be most dramatic in Asia, Australasia and North America. |
| A total eclipse occurs when the sun, earth and moon fall almost directly in line. | A total eclipse occurs when the sun, earth and moon fall almost directly in line. |
| Astronomers said it would potentially be visible in the most northern part of the UK. | Astronomers said it would potentially be visible in the most northern part of the UK. |
| People living elsewhere may be able to observe a partial eclipse. | People living elsewhere may be able to observe a partial eclipse. |
| Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: "Theoretically the best place in the UK to see the eclipse is in the Shetland islands | Dr Robert Massey, of the Royal Astronomical Society, said: "Theoretically the best place in the UK to see the eclipse is in the Shetland islands |
| "But that depends on whether they have good weather and a clear horizon which can be another stumbling block. | "But that depends on whether they have good weather and a clear horizon which can be another stumbling block. |
| "It will then be just possible to see it, but that is about as good as it gets. | "It will then be just possible to see it, but that is about as good as it gets. |
| "It will literally just be for one or two minutes but even that is a bit uncertain because it all depends on the time the moon rises, which is in itself a bit unpredictable. | "It will literally just be for one or two minutes but even that is a bit uncertain because it all depends on the time the moon rises, which is in itself a bit unpredictable. |
| "But eclipses are spectacular and it is certainly worth a bit of time to go and look at it." | "But eclipses are spectacular and it is certainly worth a bit of time to go and look at it." |
| BBC Scotland forecaster Judith Ralston said there was a "reasonable chance of catching a glimpse" of the eclipse. | |
| She said: "There will be some showers, however there will be clearer skies in between. | |
| "I would say there is a 60% chance that people will be able to see something interesting." |