Update (11.36 pm 10 December 2011): I managed to just get a photo of the partially eclipsed Moon through a small gap in the cloud. Not particularly clear and out of focus.
The last total lunar eclipse for 2011 will occur this coming weekend (10 & 11 December 2011). Simply look above the Northern horizon at the times indicated below to locate the eclipsed Moon.
Note that three different times are listed for each stage of the eclipse. The first is Australian Eastern Standard Time, the second is Australian Eastern Daylight Time and the final time is what is known as Universal Time. Astronomers use this as their ‘standard’ time and convert this to their local time zone. Queensland (and the rest of Eastern Australia when daylight savings is not in effect) astronomers for instance would add ten hours to a time listed in Universal Time.
At the time of updating this blog (10.49 pm AEST 10 December 2011), it is cloudy at my location, and I suspect most of Eastern Australia is clouded out too. One suggestion is to watch the eclipse on-line courtesy of the SLOOH website.
Eclipse details:
- Penumbral eclipse begins – Saturday 10 December 2011 9.34 pm AEST / Saturday 10 December 2011 10.34 pm AEDT / Saturday 10 December 2011 11.32 U.T.
- Partial eclipse begins – Saturday 10 December 2011 10.46 pm AEST / Saturday 10 December 2011 11.46 pm AEDT / Saturday 10 December 2011 12.45 U.T.
- Total eclipse begins – Sunday 11 December 2011 12.06 am AEST / Sunday 11 December 2011 1.06 am AEDT / Saturday 10 December 2011 14.06 U.T.
- Greatest eclipse – Sunday 11 December 2011 12.32 am AEST / Sunday 11 December 2011 1.32 am AEDT / Saturday 10 December 2011 14.31 U.T.
- Total eclipse ends – Sunday 11 December 2011 12.57 am AEST / Sunday 11 December 2011 1.57 am AEDT / Saturday 10 December 2011 14.57 U.T.
- Partial eclipse ends – Sunday11 December 2011 2.18 am AEST / Sunday 11 December 2011 3.18 am AEDT / Saturday 10 December 2011 16.17 U.T.
- Penumbral eclipse ends – Sunday11 December 2011 3.30 am AEST / Sunday 11 December 2011 4.30 am AEDT / Saturday 10 December 2011 17.30 U.T.
The next total lunar eclipse will occur on 15 April 2014. The last total lunar eclipse occurred on 16 June 2011. More information about lunar eclipses can be found at NASA’s Eclipse website. Further information about lunar eclipses can be found here on Wikipedia.
Hi Paul,
I have heard you talking on ABC 666. Sadly the weather may not let us have a good view of the Eclipse.
Cheers,
Gavin O’Brien,
Gilmore ACT
UT times are most suitable for events AEDT means little.
Myles,
I will add in the UT times when I get home from work.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
Hi Paul
Do you know where the best spot in Brisbane would be to view this?
Thanks
Amanda
Amanda,
A general answer first. The eclipse will be visible across Australia – assuming you have clear skies. For Brisbane, at the time of maximum eclipse, the Moon will be 37 degrees above the local horizon and located above the Northern horizon. In plain English, that means the Moon will be high enough in the sky for you to see the eclipse UNLESS you live live at the bottom of a steep hill located to the North of where you live.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
Great thanks Paul
Amanda,
Not a problem. Hopefully you have clear skies.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
Where can I head around 30 min to 45 min drive out of Brisbane to best see the eclipse?
I’ve been to Lake Moogerah and Springbrook to do some astrophotoraphy.. but they are kind of far.
I think heading south where there is better weather, it’s very cloudy in North Brisbane at the moment.
Jason,
If the weather forecast is accurate, most of Eastern Australia will miss out on the eclipse due to cloudy skies. That said, I still have my fingers crossed that I get to see the eclipse.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.
Hi Paul, greetings from Liverpool UK. Nice site – keep up the good work.
Jim,
Thanks for the kind words.
Regards,
Paul Floyd.