A penumbral eclipse over the weekend will see a dimming of the moon, and comes two weeks before a solar eclipse. (Dreamstime)

By Alex Rawnsley

eclipses

Lunar eclipse to kick off busy month for Nanaimo stargazers

Mar 22, 2024 | 5:31 AM

NANAIMO — While none are considered major, show-stopping events like the total solar eclipse in 2017, a trio of celestial events will keep local sky watchers occupied.

Events get underway on Sunday, March 24, just before 10 p.m. with a lunar eclipse, which is set to darken the moon as it passes through Earth’s shadow.

Dr. Greg Arkos, astronomy professor at VIU, told NanaimoNewsNOW the effect will be somewhat reduced compared to recent eclipses.

“This particular one is what’s called a penumbral eclipse. One of these eclipses occurs when the moon passes into, not the deepest darkest part of the Earth’s shadow, but rather just goes through the outer part of the Earth’s shadow.”

He added lunar eclipses are common in the weeks either before or after a solar eclipse.

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One is due on April 8 and while the path of totality is well south of the Nanaimo and Oceanside region, we’ll still see its effects.

“From our perspective here in Nanaimo, about 27 per cent of the Moon’s diameter will be on top of the sun, but of course with the Moon’s curve it covers less than that.”

He added it’ll be slightly less noticable than the solar eclipse in October 2023, which was mostly ruined locally by cloud cover.

“This one will be worth taking a look at it if the weather allows for it. It’ll start about 10:30 a.m. and will go over the course of a couple of hours, it’ll be over just after noon.”

Arkos advised proper eye protection, including approved solar filter glasses. He added sunglasses, even multiple pairs, don’t offer adequate protection from the sun’s rays.

Those without proper eye protection can make a pinhole projector by taking a piece of cardboard and using a thumb tack to punch a hole.

Holding it up to the sun casts an image down onto the ground which will show the eclipse.

Arkos said he plans to travel to Mexico for a very quick trip to observe the event in the path of totality, as the next notable solar eclipse due for the Island area won’t be until 2044.

The final celestial event local stargazers are tracking is known as the “Devil’s Comet” and is approximately the size of Mount Everest.

Swinging by Earth every 70 or so years, the comet is due for its closest approach to Earth around the same time as the solar eclipse.

“This particular comet is somewhat volatile and as it’s getting closer to the sun…it’s getting heated up and there are basically eruptions happening of material off of the comet, it puts fresh material into the head of the comet and it sometimes looks like horns.”

Others have also compared it to the Millenium Falcon in Star Wars’, according to Arkos.

The comet can be viewed with binoculars or a small telescope, very low in the western sky. It will be visible through mid to late April.

“If we’re lucky and it does brighten up, you might be able to see it with the naked eye. It’s going to be borderline that way. The comet will be very close to both Jupiter and the new moon on April 9 and 10.”

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