IRELAND is set to experience a rare astronomical event in the early hours of Monday that is being referred to as a ‘Super Wolf Blood Moon’ lunar eclipse.
The total lunar eclipse will be the best that has been visible from Ireland for 11 years, according to astronomy.ie.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is between the Sun and the Full Moon.
Lunar eclipse stages (Image: iStock)However during a total lunar eclipse, the three bodies are in a straight line and the Earth completely blocks direct sunlight from reaching the Moon.
During this time, the moon will pass through the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow, the umbra.
What’s in a name?
The eclipse gets its complicated name from a variety of factors.
Firstly, the Moon will be almost at its closest point to the Earth during the eclipse, an event commonly referred to as a Super Moon, when it appears up to 14 per cent bigger and 30 per cent brighter.
A Super Moon over London in January 2018 (Image: iStock)Secondly, each month’s Full Moon is given a different name, with the traditional name for January’s being the Wolf Moon.
Thirdly, colours in the red part of the spectrum from sunlight have longer wavelengths and are refracted around the Earth, through its atmosphere, on to the Moon, giving it a reddish tint.
When to see it
Those wanting to catch the celestial sight should prepare for a long night, or head to bed now and set their alarm clocks.
The phenomenon will begin at 2.36am on Monday morning with a penumbral eclipse, when the lighter part of the Earth’s shadow begins to fall on the Moon.
During maximum eclipse, the moon is closest to the centre the earth’s shadow (Image: iStock)The partial eclipse begins at 3.33am when the Moon should start getting red.
However the main event begins at 4.41am with the start of the total eclipse, which should last for about an hour.
Maximum eclipse will occur at around 5.12am, when the Moon is closest to the centre the Earth’s shadow.
Visibility
Clear spells are expected this evening and despite increased cloud later, you should be able to see the eclipse at some point.
As well as north and western Europe, the entire eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) in North and South America and western Africa.
The next total lunar eclipse visible in its entirety from Ireland will be in 2029 (Image: iStock)The next total lunar eclipse will be on May 26, 2021, but won’t be visible from Ireland.
The next visible from Ireland will be on May 15/16, 2022, but to see another in its entirety from Ireland, you’ll have to wait until December 20/21, 2029.
For more details on the eclipse, including local times, visit the eclipse page on timeanddate.com or watch their live stream here.
