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Local sky watchers and staff at the Herrett Center’s Centennial Observatory are hoping for clear skies the evening of Wednesday, February 20. That will be the evening of a total eclipse of the moon that will be visible in Idaho.
Chris Anderson, manager of the observatory, says while there are two lunar eclipse seasons each year – about six months apart – many of them are either not visible at all to certain parts of the world or they pass almost without notice. The next total lunar eclipse visible from Idaho will occur on June 15, 2011. A partial, or penumbral, eclipse will occur on Aug. 16 of this year but will not be visible in Idaho. Two more will occur next year on Feb. 9 and July 7, but Anderson says they will be so slight that most people won’t notice them.
The Centennial Observatory at the Herrett Center for Arts and Science will be open the evening of Feb. 20 for people to watch as the moon rises at 6:06 p.m. The darkest phase of the eclipse will begin at 6:43 and end at 10:08. Mid-eclipse is at 8:26 p.m. Viewing will be free of charge.
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