Next lunar eclipse

[Rosalind Kellett]

I believe there will be a lunar eclipse later this month, visible in the evening for BC. Has anyone got the latest info on this upcoming event?

[Lisa McIntosh]

Thanks for the question about the upcoming lunar eclipse. Below is some information from one of the Space Centre's keen observatory volunteers and some links to help your viewing

The eclipse on February 20th will already be in its first partial phase when the Moon rises, so that when you first spot the Moon it will probably already have a small "bite" taken from its disk. The Moon gets higher and higher of course, and we will have a good look at the beginning of the total phase which begins at 7:01 PM (PST). When the Moon starts emerging from totality at 7:51 PM, it will be about 30 degrees above the eastern horizon.

A telescope is not necessary to enjoy a lunar eclipse anyway. Binoculars would be fine.

One problem is that the Moon will be quite low in the sky -- too low for the Space Centre's Observatory telescope for the first events of the eclipse. Assuming the weather cooperates, we should be able to set up a telescope or two somewhere on the planetarium grounds to have a clearer view of the initial phases.

If you have a camera, this would be a pretty eclipse to photograph. The partially eclipsed Moon will be nicely positioned over the buildings of the West End as seen from the planetarium and Vanier Park. If possible, use a telephoto lens.

Fred Espenak of NASA maintains a good home page for eclipse planning:

For more detailed information about the Feb 20th eclipse

He has posted a GIF image summarizing the events in Pacific time

and more technical summaries and still more technical summaries

The latter two links are the basis of the illustrations in the RASC Observer's Handbook. They refer to this eclipse as "February 21st" because that is the date on which it happens in Universal time (UTC). It is thus necessary to subtract 8 hours from all the Universal times in these two document to obtain Pacific time. Because those times are all early in the Universal day, this requires adjusting the date as well. So the eclipse actually happens on the 20th, Pacific time.

[Rosalind Kellett]

Thanks, Lisa, that's very helpful. That's next Wednesday evening so I hope the weather cooperates!
Ros Kellett, Vancouver

[david dodge]

The Vancouver Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be holding a public event for the eclipse at Trout Lake Community Centre at John Hendrey Park. Weather pernmitting we'll have telescopes set up next to the lake near the Community Centre. We'll be there from sunset to around 10:30 or so. There is no charge for this.

For more information go to this site, copy and past this address into your brouser: http://qp.pcis.com/QuickPlace/rascvan/PageLibrary88256C7E00127E9D.n...