Best Places to View Lunar Eclipse
Screening the Aug. 2007 Total Eclipse Depends on an Earthly Location
Aug 27, 2007
More common than a Solar eclipse, total Lunar eclipses are none the less rare occurrences when considering the chance of being in the right place at the right time. Only 85 total eclipses will occur in the 21st century and your location must coincide with the time of totality. According to Peter Birch of Astronomy West, total eclipses occur over a given area once every four years on average. Yet when they do occur, some areas see fantastic events unique to those locations. Here is what you may see in your part of the world.
Eclipses begin and end with a phase called "penumbral," when a partial shadow is cast; this phase is not visible to the casual viewer; however, it is the "umbral" phase, when either a portion or the entire Moon is darkened by the Earth's shadow that gets the attention of most viewers.
Western North America
- The eclipse will begin at 1:51 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time on the morning of August 28. The Moon will be fully covered by the Earth’s shadow (totality) at 2:52 a.m. PDT. Totality will last 0:42 minutes, and the Moon will exit the Earth's shadow fully at 5:24 a.m., right before sunrise.
Western South America
- As shown in the NASA map the west coast of South America will have similar problems as the East Coast of North America. However, because of the Earth’s axis this area will have a later dawn and sunrise allowing for better viewing.
Pacific Islands and Oceania
- Here you will have one of the best and longest viewing periods for this August 27-28 lunar eclipse. The islands of Hawaii are considered the absolute best due to its proximity to the equator. Alaska, Asia and Australia will also have excellent viewing; however, each will have a different limitation. Hawaii’s only drawback is the time of evening the eclipse occurs. Across the International Date Line you will have an early, but different visit.
Eastern Asia
- For Japan and East Asia you will experience the first total lunar eclipse in six years. Japanese umbral will continue from 6:52 p.m. and end at 8:22 p.m. local time in the southeastern sky. The brilliant yellow and red color will be visible for nearly 44 minutes.
Eastern Australia
- Professor Mike Dopita from the Australian National University's School of Astronomy said in the Sydney Morning Herald on August 27, 2007: "The moon gets this sometimes quite blood red color and it's quite an interesting sight to see although it is of no astronomical importance at all." Australia will also have a spectacular view lasting 1:30 minutes. Due to the timing of the event citizens should get an amazing view.
Western Australia
- According to Peter Birch of Astronomy West in Perth Australia: “The moon will be rising in the East and it will gradually get dark, and you'll have a sort of dark-brown, red moon.” This area will experience an extremely unusual occurrence. The moon will rise as the eclipse will be occurring. Western Australia will be the only major area that will witness this phenomenon.
Eastern North America
- The penumbral will begin about 4 a.m. Eastern time with the umbral about 50% at 5:30 a.m.. As a result early risers in the East will get only minutes of totality if not inhibited by dawn’s early light.
Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Greenland
- You will miss the show completely. The moon will be below the horizon during mid and late evening in your areas.
If you are not superstitious and in an area that will allow you to see this event, get your binoculars and have a great evening or morning. If you are not, just wait a few years, it will come again.
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