Total Eclipse of the Moon
(note: all times in GMT - add one hour for BST)

There will be a total eclipse of the Moon commencing in the early hours of May 16. The times for this event are given below. A little over half of the eclipse will be visible from Orkney.

The Moon will be in the constellation Libra and will rise in the SE at 19 51 on the previous evening, 15th May.

The Moon lying close to the ecliptic means that both the Sun and the Moon will be above the horizon together for about eleven minutes whilst the Moon is in eclipse (total umbral phase). (The Moon sets at 3h 46m 50m, the Sun rises at 3h 35 43s.)

This rare juxtaposition is referred to as selenelion.

The brightness of the Moon in eclipse is unpredictable since it depends upon the state of the Earth’s atmosphere at the time. In any event, with the Moon still in the umbra of the Earth’s shadow the chances of seeing the Moon in daylight are quite remote, though it has been achieved.

Local Circumstances of the Eclipse

Moon enters penumbra: 2003 May 16 01:05:18
Moon enters umbra: 2003 May 16 02:02:43
Start of totality: 2003 May 16 03:13:42
Maximum eclipse: 2003 May 16 03:40:03
End of totality: 2003 May 16 04:06:23
Moon leaves umbra: 2003 May 16 05:17:22
Moon leaves penumbra: 2003 May 16 06:14:49
Umbral magnitude: 1.134
Penumbral magnitude: 2.100
Duration of total phase: 0h 52m 42s
Duration of umbral phase: 3h 14m 38s
Duration of penumbral phase: 5h 9m 31s
Altitude of the Moon
The altitude of the Moon will be as follows:
Moon enters penumbra: 10.7°
Moon enters umbra: 7.8°
Start of totality: 2.5°
Maximum eclipse: 0.3°
End of totality: -2.8°
Moon leaves umbra: -10.8°
Moon leaves penumbra: -17.7°

Twilight

Note: Astronomical twilight lasts all night from April 24 to August 19.

Transit of Mercury - update

Mercury in Transit, 2003 May 07, 06h 36m GMT (UT) Click the image for enlargement A projected image of the Sun. Mercury is the small black dot far left. A moderate sunspot is to be seen near the centre (the penumbra is clearly visible). A larger spot group appears near the limb (bottom right), with faculae (lighter, irregular patches) just visible. Photo: John Vetterlein. 60x100mm refractor.

JV
07/05/03