Ireland's next Full Moon will coincide with a Partial Lunar Eclipse and Harvest Moon in the early hours of Wednesday, September 18, setting the stage for a "rare" event. A Partial Lunar Eclipse, NASA says, occurs when "an imperfect alignment of Sun, Earth, and Moon results in the Moon passing through only part of Earth's umbra. "The shadow grows and then recedes without ever entirely covering the Moon.
" According to Time and Date , the start of the Partial Lunar Eclipse will begin over Ireland at 3:12 am on Wednesday and will conclude just over an hour later at 4:15 am. Astronomy Ireland is describing Wednesday morning's event as "a wonderful and rare spectacle of nature," noting that this Full Moon is a SuperMoon, meaning the Moon is at its closest to Earth, and that this Full Moon is also the Harvest Moon. David Moore of Astronomy Ireland says that no equipment is needed to view the special event, "just the naked eye," though binoculars will help provide a close-up view.
Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! Ahead of Wednesday's Partial Lunar Eclipse, the experts at Giants Causeway Tour in Northern Ireland have compiled tips that will guide you to the perfect spot and ensure you don’t miss out on the event. Aside from knowing when the lunar eclipse will be, make sure you plan other things like travel, getting a good spot well in advance, and know how you’re going to get home. You should aim to view the eclipse between 3:12 am and 4:15 am, but if you’re planning to try and get a good viewing spot you may want to arrive even earlier to secure your space.
You may be lucky and get a good view from your house, but residential areas can be full of light pollution and you may not get the best view. Try to identify a viewing spot by looking for an area with minimal light pollution and a clear view of the horizon, away from buildings and trees that could obstruct your view of the moon. While the partial lunar eclipse can be seen with the naked eye, using binoculars or a small telescope can enhance your experience by allowing you to see more details of the lunar surface and the Earth's shadow moving across it.
If you’re into photography, a lunar eclipse is a great opportunity for some stunning photos. Use a camera with a telephoto lens or even a smartphone with a good zoom feature. A tripod is essential for steady shots, especially in low light.
Met Éireann, the Irish Meteorological Service, is forecasting clear skies and no precipitation between 3 am and 4 am on Wednesday morning, and temperatures will be at 12 C, about 54 F. The UK Met Office, meanwhile, says that visibility over Belfast will be 'Moderate' - between 4,001 and 10,000 meters - between 1 am and 4 am on Wednesday. Consider joining a local astronomy club or attending a public viewing event.
This can enhance your experience and provide you with insights from experts and fellow enthusiasts. If you don’t want to go that far, consider hosting your own viewing party with friends. Bring games, snacks, and hot drinks to make the waiting go faster - especially if you’ve gone early to bag yourself one of the best spots.
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