There will be a partial (nearly total) lunar eclipse during Saturday 2015 APR 04 (early morning in North America). Only folks in western North America and further west will be able to observe the Moon during maximum obscuration by the Earth’s umbra, which I estimate will be 99.5% of the Moon’s diameter at 12:00 UT (05:00 PDT). Some observers further east, including Chicagoland, will be able to see portions of the initial partial phase of the Moon in the Earth’s umbra.
I’ve created a graphical preview with data for seven phases of the eclipse. The perspective and posted lunar altitudes are for San Francisco, but the event times will be essentially the same for all observers on the night side of the world as long as adjustments are made relative to PDT (UT-7).
Link to preview graphic and data: http://ift.tt/1bRmQEg
Unlike other eclipse sources that assume the Earth’s umbra to be perfectly circular, I take into account the oblate shape of the Earth and the resulting elliptical umbra. Belgian eclipse guru Jean Meeus has written eclipse books in association with NASA’s Fred Espenak. They have the upcoming eclipse listed as total. Meeus replied to me, “Yes, I know that the lunar eclipse of April 2015 may be partial if the oblateness of the umbra is taken into account.”
Those able to view the eclipse at its maximum may be want to report their opinion of whether the eclipse appears partial or total. Photos and descriptions of the eclipse would be welcome additions to this thread.
I’ve created a graphical preview with data for seven phases of the eclipse. The perspective and posted lunar altitudes are for San Francisco, but the event times will be essentially the same for all observers on the night side of the world as long as adjustments are made relative to PDT (UT-7).
Link to preview graphic and data: http://ift.tt/1bRmQEg
Unlike other eclipse sources that assume the Earth’s umbra to be perfectly circular, I take into account the oblate shape of the Earth and the resulting elliptical umbra. Belgian eclipse guru Jean Meeus has written eclipse books in association with NASA’s Fred Espenak. They have the upcoming eclipse listed as total. Meeus replied to me, “Yes, I know that the lunar eclipse of April 2015 may be partial if the oblateness of the umbra is taken into account.”
Those able to view the eclipse at its maximum may be want to report their opinion of whether the eclipse appears partial or total. Photos and descriptions of the eclipse would be welcome additions to this thread.
via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/1IsEckY
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