PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF MOON

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19862, 27 July 1934, Page 8

PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF MOON

VISIBLE IN TIMARU LAST NIGHT The partial eclipse of the moon, which occurred last night, was clearly visible in Timaru.

Though eclipses of the moon are not as important as are those of the sun, they are still observed with interest, since it has been found that the appearance of the eclipsed moon gives an indication of the state of the earth’s higher atmosphere. The earth’s atmosphere actually prevents a complete darkening of the lunar surface. Even at the middle of the eclipse, there is sufficient light refracted to make it visible as of a dull, ruddy hue. Last night the moon entered the penumbra, or outer partial shadow of the earth, at 9.20 p.m., and the umbra, the real shadow, at 10.24 p.m. The middle of the eclipse occurred at 11.45 p.m., and at 1.6 this morning the moon left the umbra, and at 2.10 a.m. the penumbra. The full moon occurred about six minuter before the middle of the eclipse. The eclipse was visible in only those parts of the world which were in darkness round about midnight, New Zealand time. It would, therefore, not be seen in any European countries, and the great observatories of the world would have to depend for data upon observations made in New Zealand, Australia, and other countries bordering on the Pacific. The beginning of the eclipse would be seen in the west of North and South America, and it would also be observed at places in the Pacific Ocean as far east as the eastern parts of Asia.