Eclipse of Summer and the Moon

Photo courtesy of DHD Multimedia Gallery (free down loads)

Today is the first day of School and the end of summer vacation. The realization of summers end will pass the faces of students today just as a lunar eclipse passes a shadow over the moon. The shadow will pass slowly over the moon and eventually emerge shining brightly. I hope all of our students will come home from their first day back with the same luminous glow.

There will be a lunar eclipse on the 28th so take a break from homework and the normal rush to view it with your children. Check the NASA home page for times and best locations to view.

All of North America will witness some portion of the eclipse, but western observers are favored. The early penumbral or umbral phases will be in progress at moonset for observers in Maritime Canada. From the eastern USA, the Great Lakes region and Ontario, the Moon sets in total eclipse. Only observers to the west of the Rockies (including Alaska) will be treated to the entire event. All phases of the eclipse are also visible from islands of the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand and eastern Australia. Various stages of the eclipse are in progress at moonrise for eastern Asia. No eclipse is visible from Europe, Africa and western Asia.

All Times are Easter Standard Time

4:30 PM Partial Eclipse Begins

5:44 PM Total Eclipse Begins

6:58 PM Total Eclipse Ends

8:00 PM Partial Eclipse Ends