Earth will pass between the sun and the full moon, casting its shadow. Photo: Reuters
Astronomy Ireland is calling on members of the public to capture their best shots of a partial lunar eclipse due to be observed overhead on Sunday night.
Termed a deep partial eclipse, the Moon will appear blocked by Earth’s dark shadow with only a slither of light visible on the lunar surface.
However, those in mainland Europe, as well as Asia and Africa, will be able to view the phenomenon as a total lunar eclipse.
“According to surveys we did in the past, eclipses of the Moon have had millions of people in Ireland watch them when in evening skies like this one will be,” said David Moore, Editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine.
The eclipse will be visible at sunset from 8pm to 9.30pm, though the east of the country is expected to get the best view.
We will have a while to wait until we get a chance to witness a total lunar eclipse over Ireland.
“There will not be a total eclipse of the Moon visible from Ireland until New Year’s Eve 2028, over three years away, so we want people to make the most of this eclipse and send us their photos for a special edition of Astronomy Ireland magazine we are going to publish” Mr Moore said.
However, he said that there will not be quite as long a time to wait until the next solar eclipse.
“There will be an almost-total eclipse of the Sun next year on August 12, 2026, that will see over 90pc of the Sun covered, a totally different phenomenon that will see the landscape dim and temperatures drop.”
He described solar eclipses as “the most spectacular sight in nature” and urged people to get out with their camera phones to capture the special moment.
The lunar eclipse may be tricky to see on Sunday night, given Met Éireann’s gloomy forecast, particularly for western counties. But the rest of the country has been given a clean bill of health as “long clear spells” are expected, leaving a good chance for visibility.