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Total Lunar Eclipse of 2007 August 28

August brings this year's second total eclipse of the Moon but observers will need to rise before the rooster crows to catch this one!

(Next Total Lunar Eclipse is 2008 February 20)

See Eclipse Timetable and Lunar Eclipse Links Below
Moon in Earth's Shadow
Moon in Earth's umbra at moonset (Gainesville).
Click to enlarge.
Also see eclipse animation
by Shadow & Substance

Note: Following text reprinted from the 2007 Aug/Sep issue of AAC's newsletter, FirstLight.
(Click here for a pdf version of this text.)

LAST MARCH, Earth experienced its first total lunar eclipse since 2004. Florida observers expected to see the Moon rise in eclipse but, unfortunately, cloudy weather hid the eclipsed Moon from view. However, Florida observers now get a second chance to see a lunar eclipse in 2007 though this time the Moon will rise during eclipse.

In Gainesville, just before four o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, August 28, the Moon will enter Earth's penumbral shadow. About one hour later, the Moon's eastern limb will show a noticeable "bite" as the lunar disk begins its march into Earth's umbral shadow. After about another hour totality starts but, unluckily for the East Coast, maximum eclipse occurs near time of sunrise. Thus, Florida observers will see the Moon sink below the western horizon as the sky rapidly brightens from a rising Sun.

Florida residents know August usually brings strong thunderstorms but such storms often dissipate during the evening and early morning skies can be clear. So, perhaps an early morning eclipse in August brings the best chance of viewing this celestial event though we will miss the final curtain call. After all, half an eclipse is better than none at all. So, get up before the roosters crow to see this one.

(The AAC does not have a planned public event for this eclipse since our view occurs in the hours before sunrise.)


FUTURE EVENTS
— See This Excellent Animation of the 2007 August 28 Eclipse —

Eclipse Circumstances
2007 August 28 (For Gainesville, Florida)
Eclipse Times & Moon's Altitude

Moon enters penumbra: 3:52 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon 36°
Penumbra first visible?: 4:20 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon 31°
Moon enters umbra: 4:51 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon 26°
Start of totality: 5:52 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon 15°
Maximum eclipse: 6:37 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon 6°
Sunrise 7:04 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon 1°
MOONSET 7:09 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon 0°
End of totality: 7:23 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon -4°
Moon leaves umbra: 8:24 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon -16°
Moon leaves penumbra: 9:22 a.m. EDT, Altitude Moon -28°
Magnitude and Duration

Umbral magnitude: 1.481*
Duration of total phase: 1h 31m
Duration of umbral phase: 3h 33m
Duration of penumbral phase: 5h 30m

*Fraction of Moon's diameter obscured by Earth's Umbra.
*Next year, on the night of Wednesday/Thursday, February 20/21, 2008, Florida will see a complete total lunar eclipse beginning in early evening and ending after midnight. (No additional total eclipse occurs for Florida until December 21, 2010.)

But, why wait for 2008? Tell, or better, show your friends next month's neat celestial show!

Learn More About Lunar Eclipses and This Eclipse
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