In preparation for tonight’s lunar eclipse: What you need to know and where to see it
A total lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth comes between the sun and the moon and covers the moon with its shadow. When this happens, the moon can turn red, earning it the nickname of blood moon.
Total eclipses of the moon happen at full moon when the sun, Earth, and the moon are aligned to form a line. The astronomical term for this type of alignment is syzygy, which comes from the Greek word for being paired together.
The moon does not have its own light but shines because its surface reflects the sun’s rays. The moon does not have any light of its own — it shines because its surface reflects sunlight. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth moves between the sun and the moon and cuts off the moon’s light supply. When this happens, the surface of the moon takes on a reddish glow instead of going completely dark.
The reason why the moon takes on a reddish colour during totality is a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering — the same mechanism responsible for causing colourful sunrises and sunsets, and for the sky looking blue.
The second total lunar eclipse of 2018 will be visible in large parts of Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Totality will last for 103 minutes, making it the longest eclipse of the 21st century.
Eclipse timeline for Ireland
Penumbral eclipse begins (when the moon moves through the faint, outer part of Earth’s shadow). Below horizon. Not directly visible.
Partial eclipse begins (when the Earth moves between the sun and the full moon, but they are not precisely aligned). Below horizon. Not directly visible.
Total eclipse begins. Below horizon. Not directly visible.
Maximum eclipse. Below horizon. Not directly visible.
Moonrise. Below horizon. Not directly visible.
Maximum. This is when the eclipse reaches its greatest magnitude while the entire moon is above the horizon. The true maximum cannot be seen as the moon is then below the horizon. The advice from timeanddate.com is to go a high point or find a clear area with free sight to east/southeast for the best view.
Total eclipse ends. Moon close to horizon so make sure you have free sight to southeast.
Partial eclipse ends.
Penumbral eclipse ends.
Star events
CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory will be hosting a series of free events to mark the eclipse, including observations of the moon and planets via telescope. Join in any time from 7.30pm on Friday.
Further info here.
Hook Lighthouse is hosting a Star Gazing Evening for the Perseids Meteor Shower. The most spectacular meteor shower of the year takes place in Ireland each August as the Earth bisects the tail of comets which are also orbiting the sun and the Perseids Meteor Showers take place.
On August 11, the Lighthouse Visitor Centre will remain open extra late to offer a stargazing evening event to visitors. The Perseids are created when the Earth crosses the tail of Swift-Tuttle, a comet which takes 133 years to orbit the sun.
Meteors are created when tiny flecks of dust and debris from the comet penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere at nearly 60km per second creating a shockwave. They burn up quickly in the atmosphere leaving the impression of a huge fireball. The lighthouse will remain open until 11pm, offering hot chocolates and snacks at the café.
For further details see here.
