Total Lunar Eclipse – September 27, 2015

What’s Happening on the 27th?

On Sunday, September 27, the Earth will be between the Sun and the Moon and the Moon will move into the Earth’s shadow for several hours.ˆà This month’s lunar eclipse is unusual in that all of the Moon will be in the shadow (a total eclipse) and because the entire eclipse, from beginning to end, will be visible from the northeast United States.

Coincidentally, the Moon will be at its closest point to the Earth and thus appear 7% larger in diameter than normal, or about 13% larger in area.ˆà This is often referred to in the media as a “supermoon”.

What is the AAA Doing for the Eclipse

The AAA will haveˆà observing events at different locations around the city for this event (see the list of locations below).ˆà Our members will be bringing their telescopes and binoculars to share with the public.ˆà If you have your own binoculars, you might want to bring them

When Exactly will the Eclipse Occur?

The eclipse will begin at 9:07 PM, when the Moon’s leading edge enters the shadow of the Moon.ˆà As seen from the Earth, the shadow will creep across the Moon, until 10:11 PM, when the entire Moon will be in the shadow.ˆà At this point, the Moon will likely take on a deep red hue due to the scattering of light from the Sun as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere and lands on the Moon.

At 11:23 PM, the Moon’s leading edge will re-emerge from the Earth’s shadow.ˆà The eclipse will end at 12:27 AM, when the entire Moon will once again be illuminated by the Sun.

What is the Penumbral Stage of the eclipse?

Normally, a person standing on the Moon would see the entire disk of the Sun.ˆà But in the half hour or so before the actual eclipse begins (9:07), that same observer wouldn’t be able to see part of the sun, because the Earth would be blocking his view.ˆà Because the part he can see is still shining on him, he’s still not in the Earth’s shadow, and for him, the eclipse hasn’t yet begun.ˆà For a viewer standing on the Earth, the Moon, although not yet in the Earth’s shadow, will appear somewhat dimmer.ˆà This period is called the Penumbral phase of the eclipse.ˆà It’s not very dramatic.

Where will the Moon be in the Sky?

On September 27th, the Moon rises in the East around 6:45.ˆà It climbs steadily all evening, and will be about 26 degrees above the horizon when the eclipse begins at 9:07.ˆà When the total phase begins at 10:11, the Moon will be high in the southeast, 36 degrees above the horizon.ˆà By the end of the total phase, at 11:23, it will be higher still, at 45 degrees above the horizon.ˆà And at 12:27AM, when the eclipse is over, it will be almost due south, 50 degrees above the horizon.ˆà In other words, the eclipse will be visible from any site with a good view of the southeastern sky.

Lunar Eclipse Observing Locations in New York City

The list of AAA observing locations for the eclipse is given below,ˆà For an interactive map, please clickˆàhere.