Total Lunar Eclipse Graces Clear Irish Skies

What eventually became the first total lunar eclipse visible from much of Ireland for several years occurred in the evening of 3rd March, 2007. Unlike the washouts of previous years, good weather conditions greeted eclipse watchers on Saturday night with clear skies persisting for the duration of the event. Armagh Observatory astronomers Tolis Christou, Miruna Popescu and John McFarland captured on camera the different phases of the eclipse from County Armagh, noting the now familiar coppery-red colour of the eclipsed Moon due to sunlight filtering through progressively denser layers in the Earth's atmosphere as seen from the Earth's natural satellite. Those who missed this particular photo opportunity will not have long to wait. The next total lunar eclipse visible from the island of Ireland occurs in just under a year from now, in the early morning hours of 21st February, 2008.

A serious observer and a selection of the series of images of the
eclipsed Moon obtained by Armagh Observatory staff.
Click on an image for full size version

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Tolis Christou, Miruna Popescu or John McFarland at the Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG. Tel.: 028-3752-2928; FAX: 028-3752-7174; aacarm.ac.uk; mdparm.ac.uk; jmfarm.ac.uk.

Last Revised: 2007 March 6th

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