A total lunar eclipse will be visible Wednesday night from Valdosta. On that night the full moon will rise in the east at 6:11 p.m., just as the sun is setting in the west. The eclipse will begin at 7:53 p.m., as the moon first contacts the Earth’s shadow.
The entire event will be visible from South America and most of North America (on Feb. 20) as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia (on Feb. 21). The last total lunar eclipse occurred Aug. 28, 2007, and the next will not occur until Dec. 21, 2010, according to NASA.
“During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon’s disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray,” a NASA Web site explained. “An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth’s shadow.”
Circumstances of this eclipse are as follows:
7:53 p.m. — The penumbral eclipse phase begins as the Moon enters the outer portion of Earth’s shadow. No change in the Moon’s appearance will be visible.
8:58 p.m. — The moon enters the central umbra of Earth’s shadow, and the partial eclipse phase begins. Observers in Valdosta will begin to see a “bite” taken out of the moon's left side; this will grow over the next hour.
10:14 p.m. - The total eclipse phase begins; the moon is now entirely inside the umbra of Earth’s shadow. Depending upon the purity of the Earth’s atmosphere, the moon may appear reddish in color (if the air is “moderately dirty”) or it may disappear entirely (if the air is very clean or very dirty).
11:09 p.m. — The total eclipse phase ends as the moon begins to leave the umbra of the Earth’s shadow.
12:26 a.m. — The partial eclipse phase ends; the moon is now entirely outside the umbra, and once again appears to be a Full Moon.
1:31 a.m. — The penumbral eclipse phase ends as the moon exits the penumbra. The eclipse is over.
As a public service the observatory at Valdosta State University will be open (weather permitting) from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. for this event. In addition to the eclipsed moon, visitors will be able to view the planets Mars and Saturn along with the Pleiades star cluster and the Great Nebula of Orion.
Visitors should enter at the southeast entrance of Nevins Hall and take the stairs or elevator to the fourth floor. For further information please call the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at (229) 333-5752.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The moon is photographed almost entirely in the central umbra of Earth's shadow during a total lunar eclipse in 2007. Another total lunar eclipse will be visible from Valdosta Wednesday.
Discussion
Lunar eclipse
- Local News
-
-
Weekend preview with Brittany McClure
Find out what's going on this weekend with Brittany McClure.
-
Popular vendor taken out of the ballparks
With a wagon-load of fresh cakes, hot boiled peanuts and ice-cold bottled water she has witnessed generations of children, or as she refers to them, her angels, grow into adults with children of their own.
-
Three candidates file for election
Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries continue with the addition of a couple new candidates interested in running for elected office.
-
City, county tax discussions stalled
Local Option Sales Tax “negotiations” between city and county officials have descended from open meetings to a stalemate, with no clear agreement on how the estimated $210 million in tax revenue should be split.
-
Valdosta High principal to retire
After one year as Valdosta High School principal, Rufus McDuffie has announced his retirement.
-
South Georgia’s Ace
High above war-torn Germany, World War II fighter ace Donald S. “Bush” Bryan led his flight toward an estimated 50 enemy aircraft.
-
Arraignment set for Quitman 11
The “Quitman Eleven” are scheduled to have an arraignment on May 29, Brooks County Courthouse, according to their attorney, Roy Copeland.
-
Qualifying opens
Qualifications for Lowndes County general primaries kicked off Wednesday and plenty of folks tossed their proverbial hats in the ring on opening day.
-
Fire on Ridgeway Drive
No injuries were reported after a fire broke out Tuesday morning at an 800 block Ridgeway Drive house.
-
Lowndes High grad part of ABC’s ‘Duets’
VALDOSTA — A Lowndes High School graduate is expected to be a part of the debut episode of the new ABC talent-search show “Duets” premiering this week. - More Local News Headlines
-
