Lunar Eclipse Coming Up This Friday March 3rd

As many are no doubt aware, we will be treated to a total lunar eclipse this Friday. In the United States, it will already be in progress when the moon rises:

The entire event will be visible from Europe, Africa and western Asia. In eastern Asia, moonset occurs during various stages of the eclipse. For example, the Moon sets while in total eclipse from central China and southeast Asia. Western Australia catches part of the initial partial phases but the Moon sets before totality. Observers in eastern North and South America will find the Moon already partially or totality eclipsed at moonrise. From western North America, only the final penumbral phases are visible.

So, as lunar eclipses go, this one will be kinda boring for us here in the states. Even so, these things are among some of the best naked-eye events, I encourage everyone to get out there and check it out!

Illustration Credit: NASA’s Eclipse Home Page

Technorati Tags: lunar eclipse, night sky, observing