Penumbral lunar eclipse Sunday 25 March, 2024
22 March 2024
This is an extract from Earth Sky. This weekend is the start oft he Lunar eclipse. Norfolk Island is only on the edge of this penumbral lunar eclipse . We may only get a small view at just before Sunset, if the skies are clear.
Follow Time and Date internet link for additional information
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse on 24–25 March 2024 – Where and When to See (timeanddate.com)
Eclipses in Norfolk Island (timeanddate.com)
Certainly! On March 25, 2024, there will be a penumbral lunar eclipse visible from Norfolk Island. Here are the details:
- Start of Penumbral: 6:53 pm NFDT
- End of Penumbral: 9:32 pm NFDT
During a penumbral lunar eclipse, the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbral shadow, resulting in a subtle darkening of the lunar surface. Unlike a total or partial eclipse, the changes are more challenging to observe, but it’s still a fascinating celestial event! 🌕🌒
If you’re in Norfolk Island, keep an eye on the sky during these times to witness this astronomical phenomenon!
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Heads up! Half of Earth - that is, in Japan, in the eastern half of Australia, in the Americas, in the western half of Africa and western Europe - and several oceans and parts of Antarctica - will see a deep penumbral eclipse of the moon on March 24-25. This eclipse begins the eclipse season during which we'll also have the April 8 total solar eclipse ... shortly due to be seen by millions in North America.
Read more at https://earthsky.org/.../penumbral-lunar-eclipse-march.../
Dominic Ford from In-The-Sky.org
Map showing the areas of visibility for the March 24-25, 2024, penumbral lunar eclipse. In a penumbral eclipse, the lighter outer part of Earth’s shadow falls on the moon. So this is a subtle kind of eclipse. You’ll need to look closely to notice it. Image via Dominic Ford from In-The-Sky.org. Used with permission by Earth Sky.
The full moon and eclipses
If this full moon were truly opposite the sun, there’d be a total umbral eclipse of the moon. That is, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow – the umbra – would cover the moon at mid-eclipse. But this full moon in March sweeps to the north of the Earth’s umbra. So no total or partial lunar eclipse in the Earth’s dark shadow can take place.
Instead, the full moon almost fully passes through the Earth’s penumbral shadow. So, it’s a very deep penumbral eclipse. At no time will Earth’s dark shadow take a “bite” out of the moon. Instead, penumbral eclipses are all about subtle shadings.
The March 25 penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon is in the constellation of Virgo the Maiden.
Find the moon’s path with respect to Earth’s penumbral shadows below.
Eclipses in 2024
The March 24-25, 2024, penumbral lunar eclipse is followed two weeks later by a total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. In fact, these two eclipses take place within a single eclipse season.
An eclipse season is an approximate 35-day period during which it’s inevitable for at least two (and possibly three) eclipses to take place.
Then later this year, the September-October 2024 eclipse season will feature a very shallow partial lunar eclipse on September 17-18, 2024, and an annular solar eclipse on October 2, 2024.
Fingers crossed the skies are clear on Sunday night after sunset. We may enjoy part of the lunar eclipse and our beautiful Norfolk Island Magical Dark Skies. If you would like to learn more follow the links in the extracts from the internet articles above.
Betty Matthews
22 March 2024