Lunar eclipse - BAA Circular

[Rick]

BAA electronic circular No. 00099  http://www.britastro.org/

There will be a total lunar eclipse visible from the British Isles this Friday morning (May 16). Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the shadow cone cast by the Earth and this particular event comes two weeks before the solar eclipse of May 31. The times of various phases of the eclipse are shown below in UT. Remember to add one hour to get local civil time in the UK.

First contact with penumbra     01:05 UT
First contact with umbra        02:03 UT
Nautical twilight (from London) 02:29 UT
Totality starts                 03:14 UT
Civil twilight (from London)    03:25 UT
Totality ends                   04:07 UT
Sunrise (from London)           04:07 UT
Moon sets (from London)         04:16 UT
Last contact with umbra         05:17 UT

By the time that totality starts the moon will be low in the southwest and the sky will already be very bright so it is unlikely that the normal coppery red colouring will be seen. Telescopic observation during the eclipse is worthwhile and a watch should be kept for unusual flashes or other changes to the appearance of the surface. The recording of such events by video would be of particular interest to the Lunar section.

Observations can be sent to the director of the Lunar section, Alan Wells, using AWells@citycol.ac.uk.

Nick James/Alan Wells