Astronomy Down Under

Lunar eclipse this month

8 Aug at 15:51 by Wilson

As I’ve mentioned before, there will be a total lunar eclipse later this month, visible from Melbourne (and from the Americas and most of Asia as well). The eclipse happens on Tuesday, 28 August, and starts at 17:52 Melbourne time (07:52 UTC), which is three minutes before sunset and nine minutes after the moon rises (here; check your local times). Eastern Australia will be able to see the whole eclipse (assuming a clear view of the eastern horizon from your location), while the west will see the moon rise with the eclipse already in progress. Totality starts at 19:52 (09:52 UTC) Melbourne time, and lasts for a bit over 90 minutes. Details and maps here.

That, of course, assumes that the rain gods will look kindly on us. Should we miss this one, the next total eclipse visible from here will happen in late 2011.

For those interested, the Astronomical Society of Victoria is organising a public viewing of the eclipse on the roof of the Victoria Gardens shopping centre (top deck of the car park, actually), and telescopes will be available to the public. I assume this event will only happen with good weather, but check the details closer to the date.