Lunar Eclipse Viewing - October 8, 2014

Lunar Eclipse on February 20, 2008 - East Lansing, MI

UPDATE
10/7/2014, 11:00 pm EDT

Weather forecast is showing mostly CLEAR SKIES for tomorrow morning. Looks like viewing is a GO! Hope to see you there!

On Wednesday, October 8, there will be a Total Lunar Eclipse that will be visible for us in the Michigan area. The eclipse will happen in the dawn hours on Wednesday morning, and we will be gathering in front of A-Bldg at Orchard Ridge with telescopes and binoculars. Viewing will begin around 6:15 a.m. as the total eclipse will begin at 6:25 a.m. We will gather by the island in the traffic circle in front of A-Bldg.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is located between the Moon and the Sun. This occurs during a full moon phase. The lunar eclipse begins when the Moon enters the partial shadow of Earth, the penumbra, and is greatest when the Moon is in the center of the full shadow of the Earth, the umbra.

Lunar eclipses usually last for a few hours, and are most exciting when seen entering/exiting the umbra. In addition to the Lunar Eclipse this Wednesday, we will also have the opportunity to look at the planet Uranus through the telescope, as it will be very close to the Moon in our sky during that time. Also, you will have the opportunity to view Venus and some other October morning constellations.

The Anatomy of a Lunar Eclipse.
 (Source: http://www.sunwheelgrove.co.uk/cosmos/the-moon)

Lunar Eclipse Time Table (EDT for the Detroit Area)

Partial Eclipse Begins - 5:15 a.m.

Total Eclipse Begins - 6:25 a.m.

Greatest Eclipse - 6:55 a.m.

Total Eclipse Ends - 7:24 a.m.

Moon Sets - 7:44 a.m. 

As always, this viewing is dependent on weather. If the forecast is too cloudy for that morning, there will most likely not be a viewing. If it's crystal clear, we hope to see you there! I will keep everyone posted as we get closer to the date, so WATCH THIS SPACE!

Clear Skies!!

- SHH