Dark Of The Moon

Hey, one good thing about this trip I'm on is that I could get a chance to see the lunar eclipse. If I can stay up that long. (Or get up that early.)

Tuesday morning, Aug. 28 brings us the second total lunar eclipse of 2007.  Those living in the Western Hemisphere and eastern Asia will be able to partake in at least some of this sky show.

The very best viewing region for viewing this eclipse will fall across the Pacific Rim, including the West Coast of the United States and Canada, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand and eastern Australia.  All these places will be able to see the complete eclipse from start to finish. 

Europeans will miss out on the entire show, as the Moon will be below the horizon during their mid and late morning hours.

What to look for

The eclipse will begin when the Moon enters the faint outer portion, or penumbra, of the Earth's shadow about an hour before it begins moving into the umbra. The penumbra, however, is all but invisible to the eye until the Moon becomes deeply immersed in it.  Look for a slight hint of shading or smudginess on the eastern (left) edge of the lunar disk about 40 minutes after the Moon first enters the penumbral shadow. 

The most obvious part of the eclipse will be when the Moon is passing through the dark umbral shadow of the Earth.  On this occasion, the full Moon will track just to the south of the center of the Earth's umbra; deep path almost through the center of the umbra which will result in a total phase lasting an unusually long 1 hour 30 minutes (the maximum possible is 1 hour 47 minutes).

California is prime viewing real estate for this eclipse.