28 September 2015 total lunar eclipse

[Thunderbolt_]

In exactly six months time, a total eclipse of the Moon will occur, with the UK being in a prime location to see the whole eclipse. It will be the first time since February 2008, that the UK sees a total lunar eclipse from start to finish.

 

[Nick L]

I'll pencil this one in as a cloudy night then!

[Weather-history]

Last total lunar eclipse I saw was the March 2007 one.

Incidentally, the next total solar eclipse from UK soil is September 2090, will also contain a total lunar eclipse visible from the UK earlier in the same month. There will also be a total lunar eclipse in the March of that year from the UK.

So what a year 2090 will be for British astronomers on home soil. Three total eclipses, two lunar and one solar. I hope the weather will be kind to those fortunate to be around in 2090.

[Thunderbolt_]

Last total lunar eclipse I saw was the March 2007 one.

Incidentally, the next total solar eclipse from UK soil is September 2090, will also contain a total lunar eclipse visible from the UK earlier in the same month. There will also be a total lunar eclipse in the March of that year from the UK.

So what a year 2090 will be for British astronomers on home soil. Three total eclipses, two lunar and one solar. I hope the weather will be kind to those fortunate to be around in 2090.

 

I think March 2007 was the last one I remember too. That night was practically perfect - no clouds whatsoever.

[AderynCoch]

I've seen three total lunar eclipses:

 

April 1996

January 2001

March 2007

 

The biggest disappointment was 21st December 2010, because it was cloudy despite the very cold weather (which is usually clear).

 

New Year's Eve 2009 was interesting because I didn't know there was a partial eclipse happening until I chanced to look up and saw the full moon with a bite taken out of it.

[Summer of 95]

2007 was the last total one I remember seeing, although I remember being surprised by the New Years partial one in 2009 as well. Also saw them in Jan 2000(?) 1996(?) and August 1989.

[Weather-history]

I've seen three total lunar eclipses:

April 1996

January 2001

March 2007

The biggest disappointment was 21st December 2010, because it was cloudy despite the very cold weather (which is usually clear).

New Year's Eve 2009 was interesting because I didn't know there was a partial eclipse happening until I chanced to look up and saw the full moon with a bite taken out of it.

Saw those those three total lunar eclipses. The April 1996 coincided with comet Hyuakate (sic) visit. Unfortunately though it was clear there was a bit of haze so the comet was not that clear to the naked eye.

I also remember the partial eclipsed moonrise of September 2006.

Going even further back, I had my little moon telescope out observing the October 1986 total lunar eclipse.

Anyone remember the January 1982 lunar eclipse? That occurred during that severe cold spell, a blood red moon and snow on the ground. I know it was visible from the Midlands northwards.

[Thunderbolt_]

Wow... the eclipse happens this month...

[Summer of 95]

Normally wouldnt trust the weather, but it more than cooperated for the solar one in March so I'll give it a chance.

Wonder how "dark" the eclipse will be. The 2007 one I remember was pretty dark, no shadows from the moon.

[Woollymummy]

I was keen in the old days. 1996, I lay outside in the driveway on a rug with a duvet and my binoculars to watch the whole eclipse at home in Norfolk , and got a great view of the comet too. I seem to remember it was really really cold that night (possibly frosty?), anyway, wonderfully clear.

[Thunderbolt_]

I've just done a bit of research and found out that this lunar eclipse will coincide with the supermoon, as well as this year's harvest moon.

That must be quite a rare occurrence?

[Thunderbolt_]

There was a partial solar eclipse across South Africa and Antarctica this morning. That is directly linked to the lunar eclipse in two weeks time...

[Costa Del Fal]

Should be a good one. Sunday and Sunday night already looks like promising very clear skies currently. With a strong high pressure due, we would be very unlucky not to see it. Sure its not a given and mist and fog could spoil things however I find mist and fog is not really a problem here at least till late october onwards. Too early for it yet really imo. 

[Weather-history]

Danjon scale

The brightness of the total lunar eclipse will depend on the aerosols in the atmosphere.

[Beverley Lass]

Just looked this up and it's at maximum in the Hull area for 3.47am on the 28th.

Hope I can wake and the skies are clear.

 

B. 

[Thunderbolt_]

This is how the Met Office rate the chances of seeing the eclipse tomorrow night:

 

https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/647748201827725312

[Costa Del Fal]

Looks like some in the SE could have a cloudy night for the eclipse too if some models are right.  Everywhere else including here looking fine and clear.

[Thunderbolt_]

Assuming the skies remain as clear as this tonight, I might try and time-lapse the lunar eclipse. The only problem is, I'll pretty much have to stay up all night!

[Costa Del Fal]

I'm staying up for the eclipse tonight so no bed time till about 4.30/5am and I've been up since 4am this morning for a car boot sale! Yesterday I was very busy all day from 9am till 2.45am this morning too so just 90 minutes of sleep for me this weekend! Lol.

[Methuselah]

For those of you who do get to see it, the sky is crystal-clear!

[Weather-history]

A total eclipse of the Harvest supermoon.

[AderynCoch]

Looks like the weather's going to play ball for this one (blame me if it all goes tits up). Just a shame about the timing; have to get up about 6:30am. Looks like I'll have to catch some sleep this evening.

[Thunderbolt_]

A total eclipse of the Harvest supermoon.

 

Yes a very rare event. If you don't see it tonight, then you will have to wait until January 2019 for the next "normal" total lunar eclipse visible from the UK, and April 2033 for the next supermoon lunar eclipse...

Looks like the weather's going to play ball for this one (blame me if it all goes tits up). Just a shame about the timing; have to get up about 6:30am. Looks like I'll have to catch some sleep this evening.

 

I'm getting ever so slightly concerned because some ever-thickening high level cloud has been moving in over the course of this evening. Luckily the penumbral eclipse doesn't start until just after 01:00, so there is plenty of time for it to clear up...

[Weather-history]

Just watched the moon rise. Wow!

[Thunderbolt_]

Here are the times for tonight:

 

P1 - Start of the penumbral eclipse - 01:12

U1 - Start of the partial eclipse        - 02:07

U2 - Start of the total eclipse           - 03:11

GE - Greatest eclipse                  - 03:47

U3 - End of the total eclipse            - 04:23

U4 - End of the partial eclipse         - 05:27

P4 - End of the penumbral eclipse  - 06:22