ECLIPSE OF MOON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23034, 11 May 1938, Page 14

ECLIPSE OF MOON

TOTAL OBSCURATION OCCURRENCE ON SATURDAY VISIBILITY IN DOMINION The first of a, series of four eclipses to occur this year will be visible, given favourable circumstances, early on Saturday evening, when the moon will undergo a total eclipse. The moon will enter the earth's penumbral shadow at 5.14 p.m. on Saturday, but as the penumbra is a mixture of shadow and direct sunlight thi.s stage of the eclipse will result only in a barely perceptible diminution of the moon's brightness. The eclipse cannot be regarded as having commenced, in the popular sense, until 6.26 p.m. .when the moon will make its first contact -with the earth's true shadow. The amount of obscuration will steadily increase until 7.48 p.m., when the total phase begins. The moon may then be seen totally eclipsed shining redly or may completely vanish, if the earth's shadow at the time happens to be dark instead of reddish. Total eclipse' will end at 8.39 p.m., when the moon's eastern, or lower right limb will emerge from the shadow and the amount of the obscured disc will begin to decrease. The shadow proper will finally leave the moon s surface at 10.0 p.m% but the penumbral stage of the eclipse will persist for more than an hour, ending finally at 11.13 p.m. A further eclipse, a total- solar one, will occur at the end of this month, and then there will not be any further eclipses until November, when another group of two* lunar and solar, will occur. Saturday's eclipse, however, is the only one which will be visible in the Dominion this year.