Deep Partial Lunar Eclipse
Join us for a special evening at the observatory to watch a partial lunar eclipse as Earth’s shadow gradually moves across the Moon. The event begins with the Moon already showing subtle dimming from Earth’s outer shadow, followed by the dramatic appearance of the darker central shadow creating a visible “bite” out of the lunar surface. At maximum eclipse, only a thin bright sliver of the Moon remains illuminated before the shadow slowly recedes. The observatory will remain open until midnight as the eclipse winds down and the Moon gradually returns to its usual brightness.Eclipse Timeline
- 8:12 PM – Moon rises with faint shading from Earth’s penumbral shadow already visible.
- 8:34 PM – Partial eclipse begins as Earth’s darker umbral shadow creates a small “bite” on the Moon’s lower left edge.
- 10:13 PM – Maximum eclipse: only a thin bright sliver of the Moon’s upper edge remains illuminated.
- 11:52 PM – Partial phase ends as the last shadow slips off the Moon’s lower right edge.
- 12:00 AM – Observatory closes; faint penumbral shading still visible.
- 1:02 AM – Official end of the penumbral eclipse as the Moon returns to its normal brightness.
Visitors are welcome to stop by anytime during the event to watch the eclipse progress through telescopes and with the naked eye.
Weather permitting.