This diagram shows how close the Moon gets to the Earth's deep inner
(umbral) shadow:
On Tuesday evening the Moon will skirt the edge
of the Earth's shadow in space and cause a penumbral eclipse of the
Moon.
Astronomy Ireland will set up powerful
telescopes to give the general public a close up view of the
eclipse of the Moon on March 14 at 11:30pm to midnight.
The eclipse is at its best around 11:50pm so
telescopes will be set up in Dublin's Phoenix Park at 11:30pm at
the Papal Cross car park right in the centre of the Park.
"The Moon will just miss the edge of the
Earth's shadow so this will not be a deep or long eclipse but we
are asking everyone in Ireland to watch the Moon for up to half an
hour centred around 11:50pm and let us know what they see"
said David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland.
A dimming of the lower edge of the Moon is
expected but just how dark the Moon's edge will go is not certain.
There may be colour effects, probably reds and browns also.
Astronomy Ireland is asking everyone who has
clear skies at the critical time around 11:50pm to email a short
description of what they see to observe@astronomy.ie
Image taken by Biorn McGinley
from Glanmire, Co. Cork.
Sequence of images taken by
John Moore under clear skies in Cork. Images show clearly
the progression of the eclipse.
HISTORIC ALIGNMENT
This eclipse of the Moon is caused by the Moon,
Earth and Sun beginning to move into an historic alignment that
will be complete on March 29
On that date a Total Eclipse of the Sun will
occur over Turkey.
These are extremely rare events.
No Total eclipse of the Sun has been seen from
Ireland since 1724 and the next is not for another 84 years.
Astronomy Ireland has a 180 seater aircraft
taking eclipse viewers to Turkey at the end of the month to
witness this event - said to be the most spectacular sight in
nature.
