An eclipse, the likes of which hasn't been seen in nearly 600 years, will take place overnight Thursday, Nov. 18 into Friday, Nov. 19. (Larry Johnson/Wikimedia Commons)

By Alex Rawnsley

MOON GAZING

Skies set to clear for longest partial lunar eclipse in nearly 600 years

Nov 18, 2021 | 12:50 PM

NANAIMO — Local stargazers are hoping the latest round of wet weather will clear on schedule.

An ultra-rare full moon, partial lunar eclipse will begin after 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18 with the point of greatest eclipse occurring at 1:03 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 before ending by 3 a.m.

Dr. Gregory Arkos, VIU astronomy professor, told NanaimoNewsNOW this event is due to be the longest of its kind in around 600 years.

“We’re not fully in the umbra (the Earth’s shadow) but we are about as close as you can get without actually being completely in it. We’re ending up with a really deep, really long partial lunar eclipse…before Columbus sailed was the last time you would have seen a partial eclipse this long.”

NASA projects the overnight event to last three hours, 28 minutes and 24 seconds, making it the longest partial lunar eclipse since Feb. 18, 1440.

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The next partial eclipse to span upwards of three and a half hours will be in 2669.

Specific timings of Thursday and Friday’s partial lunar eclipse, also illustrating the expected red hue on the moon during its pass through Earth’s shadow. (Scott Sutherland/NASA SVS)

The moon will turn a red hue during the show with a majority, but not all, of the visible surface dipping into Earth’s shadow.

“Mostly reddish coloured moon with one tiny sliver still outside that dark shadow and that sliver should still be very bright. It’s almost like seeing a very sharp crescent moon except with the rest of the moon being very red coloured in contrast.”

No special equipment is needed to view the event and it’s safe for bare eyes. Telescopes or binoculars are encouraged for an extra close view.

Despite rain and wet snow across the central Island region Thursday morning, clouds are expected to clear in the evening hours and make way for sunny skies on Friday.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate, a live stream of the eclipse will be available via Time and Date.

Lunar eclipses in general are relatively common events with one or two occurring every year. Arkos said 2022 will provide two total lunar eclipses on May 16 and Nov. 18.

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley