Just as we have the four seasons of the year – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter – we also have two eclipse seasons a year. And we are smack bang in the middle of one now.
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A recent partial solar eclipse was visible from very few locations on Friday July 13 but in some parts of southern Australia, including Adelaide, Melbourne and Tasmania skygazers were privy to a very small fraction of the eclipse.
The second eclipse, a total lunar eclipse, is set for the weekend which will be fully visible in Mount Isa.
Mount Isa Astronomer Len Fulham said the lunar eclipse will occur early morning starting at approx 3.17am, the dark umbral phase starts at 4.26am, mid way at about 6.21 am, with dawn interfering before the end of the total phase with moonset at about 7.19am.
“This means we do not see the full progression of the eclipse, but we do see an almost totally eclipsed Moon set, which is different,” he said.
ECLIPSE SCHEDULE
The Penumbral Eclipse begins for Mount Isa skywatchers at 3:14 am on Saturday July 28 and the partial eclipse (where the moon starts to turn varying degrees of red due to the reflection of the Sun) begins at 4.24am.
The total eclipse is at 5.30am with the whole moon turning a crimson red colour.
At 6.21am the maximum eclipse takes place and at 7.13am the eclipse ends.
ASTRONOMY SIGHTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
The third and last eclipse for this season is on Saturday August 11, 2018 which will be a partial solar eclipse.
The solar eclipse will not be visible in Mount Isa although much of Europe and Asia will be able to view it if weather permits.
The next big phenomena in our skies will be on Boxing Day Wednesday Dec 26, 2019 partial solar eclipse – Annular solar eclipse, and we have one of the best vantage points in the North West.
