Mik Posted February 6, 2009 Posted February 6, 2009 (edited) Maximum eclipse at 10:39 PM. Because it's a penumbral eclipse the moon will only dim somewhat. A penumbral eclipse of the Moon will occur on 9 February 2009, and it will be visible in the Philippines. The eclipse begins when the Moon enters penumbra at 8:36 PM and ends the following morning at 12:39 AM (Philippine Standard Time). It will also be observed in Alaska, Australia, eastern Asia, Hawaii, New Zealand and in the western parts of Canada and the USA. A penumbra refers to a partially shaded outer region of a shadow that an object casts. A penumbral eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the faint penumbral portion of the earth's shadow, as shown in Figures 4 & 5. The lunar surface is not completely shadowed by the earth's umbra (darkest part of a shadow). Instead, observers see only the slightest dimming near the lunar limb closest to the umbra. The eclipse may be undetectable unless at least half of the moon enters the penumbra. Many penumbral eclipses have few observable effects but the February 9 lunar eclipse will carry the moon far enough into the light gray shadow to produce a dimming of the northern lunar limb. According to NASA, this event is the deepest penumbral eclipse in 2009, with a penumbral magnitude of 0.899. It will be visible to the naked eye as dusky shading in the northern half of the moon as shown in Figure 6. http://kidlat.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/agssb/ast...eb/skymonth.htm Edited February 6, 2009 by M.Morey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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