Spooky sight before Halloween
The Moon enters Earth's shadow for a partial lunar eclipse over North America October 17.
Published:
October 11, 2005For more information, contact: Matt Quandt Assistant editor Astronomy magazine (t) 262.796.8776 x419 mquandt@astronomy.com
October 11, 2005
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WAUKESHA, WI — October 17th brings the Moon into Earth's shadow for a partial lunar eclipse over North America. This event is a "partial" eclipse because only 7 percent of the Moon dips into the umbra, the darkest part of the shadow. But the entire face of the Moon will pass through the lighter penumbra and turn a dark gray — an eerie sight just 2 weeks before Halloween!
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Full Moon align in that order. Viewers can expect to see a bite taken out of the Full Moon's southern limb, while the rest of the disk takes on a more grayish hue than normal.
On the 17th, the eclipse starts at 5:51 A.M. EDT (2:51 A.M. PDT). It will take 4 hours and 24 minutes for the Moon to pass through the shadow completely. Viewers in eastern North America will see only the early phases of the eclipse.
The eclipse will be easy to see with your naked eyes, but try using binoculars or a telescope for close-up looks at the Moon's dark, flat maria, or "seas," and light craters. Our satellite is a great — and easy — object to observe, even from a brightly lit city.
The next time North Americans will see a lunar eclipse will be March 14, 2006.
Eclipse begins 2:51 A.M. PDT
Umbral eclipse begins 4:34 A.M. PDT
Mideclipse 5:03 A.M. PDT
Umbral eclipse ends 5:32 A.M. PDT
Eclipse ends 7:15 A.M. PDT
More October sky highlights:
October 19: The Moon passes 5° north of Mars at 9 A.M. EDT (1° is equal to 2 Full-Moon widths).October 25: The Moon passes 4° north of Saturn at 1 p.M. EDT.
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 The entire Moon lies inside Earth's penumbral shadow October 17, but only 7 percent enters the dark umbra.
Photo by Astronomy: Roen Kelly |
 The Moon's southern limb will grow dark during a partial lunar eclipse October 17, mimicking this view from the October 1987 penumbral eclipse.
Photo by Sherri Martin |