Lunar Eclipse above Blackheath – by Mike Meynell
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO A POOR WEATHER FORECAST
A total eclipse of the Moon will occur on Friday 27th July. Eclipses of the Moon occur when the Full Moon passes through the cone of shadow cast by the Earth into space. From the UK, the Moon will rise above the horizon in full eclipse, so only the latter part of the eclipse will be visible. The Moon will be in full eclipse from around 8.30pm to 10.13pm, with the partial eclipse ending at around 11.19pm.
We will be running an observing session at Blackheath from 9pm until around 11pm. In Greenwich, the Moon will rise at 8.48pm, so will already be in full eclipse at the start of the event. It will be relatively low in the sky but will climb to around 9 degrees altitude by the end of the full eclipse. Weather permitting, it should still be a sight worth seeing.
Mars should be visible just below the Moon, though, again, will be very low in the sky. Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will also be visible during the event.
There will be at least three scopes available at the session, but please feel free to come along with your own. The more the merrier!
Blackheath is quite exposed, so please bring something warm along with you.
We will meet at our usual spot just north of Talbot Place at 9pm. Talbot Place is the first left off Goffers Road after the Tea Hut. Parking is free after 6.30pm. A map of the site can be found here – http://www.flamsteed.org.uk/observing/stargazing-events/blackheath-stargazing/.
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