Make sure you are looking up to the sky tonight

If astronomy is your thing then tonight offers up the rare chance to see an eclipse of the moon over Ireland.

Back in September a similar eclipse took place, but, according to Astronomy Ireland Magazine editor David Moore, tonight’s offering will be far more exciting.

He said: “We saw a similar, but poorer eclipse, last September, but it was low down in the East as the full moon was rising.

“Still, it was quite spectacular to the naked eye so tonight’s eclipse should be an excellent sight for everyone in the country.” 

Ireland could not be better placed to see tonight’s rare eclipse of the moon as the full moon will be at its highest due South at mid eclipse, which is soon after midnight tonight Irish time.

For those in the Leinster area an all-night vigil is being organised to view the event at an “Eclipse Watch” from 10:30pm until 1am at Astronomy Ireland’s Headquarters where some of the largest telescopes in Ireland are located. 

The event is free of charge and free tea, coffee and biscuits are being laid on to keep everyone warm. 

Mr Moore said: “You don’t need a telescope or binoculars to see this event so everyone in Ireland should be able to see the eclipse.  

“Even if it is cloudy, you should keep checking the sky all evening as all you need is a tiny break in the clouds for a few seconds to see the eclipse.” he said.

By far the best time to view the eclipse is around the time of mid eclipse (12:44am Saturday morning) when the top edge of the Moon will be very noticeably dimmer than the bottom edge of the Moon. 

Mr Moore said this is not a total eclipse of the Moon – there won’t be one of those visible from Ireland until the morning of January 21st, 2019.

He continued: “This is going to be the highlight of the year so we are strongly urging everyone to go out and look up at this spectacle of nature, and come along to the Eclipse Watch if you are in the Leinster area!”