Early Thursday morning 21st February 2008 Starting at 1:30am Total Eclipse of the Moon

There is a special event taking place early on the morning of Thursday 21st February.  As the Earth and Moon travel through space, they occasionally line up perfectly with the Sun, and the Earth's shadow falls across the Moon, creating an eclipse.

On the morning of February 21st, there will be an opportunity to witness this transient wonder of the skies.

The entire sequence will be visible from the UK (weather permitting!), though unfortunately the timing is nowhere near as good as the one last March. This time the main part of the event begins at 1:43 on Thursday morning, and we'll have to wait until 3:00 am for totality!

As a result, we are not advertising this as a main public event, but if anyone does want to come along to join us in watching the event, they will be very welcome. To ensure that there will be someone on site, you should call the society's observatory mobile - 07751 315447 - before midnight on the 20th. If you do want to join us, do ensure that you dress warmly. We recommend two pairs of socks, gloves and a hat - a large proportion of heat loss is from the head! You might also bring a deck-chair or recliner, so you can lie back in comfort, and a thermos with a hot drink.

The Earth's shadow is in two parts: an outer section, called the penumbra, and an inner section, called the umbra.  The eclipse begins when the edge of the Moon passes into the penumbra.  Then the Moon reaches the edge of the umbra, and when the Moon is fully covered by the umbra we have reached totality.  Here are the timings:

	00:35	P1	Moon enters the penumbra
	01:43	U1	Moon enters the umbra
	03:00	U2	Start of totality
	03:51	U3	End of totality
	05:09	U4	Moon leaves the umbra
	06:17	P2	Moon leaves the penumbra

Click here for a diagram and details of the eclipse.

Join us at our observatory at Standalone Farm, off Wilbury Road to the north of Letchworth.  Click here for a map.
There is no charge and plenty of room for parking.    Just come along with warm clothing and enjoy the spectacle.

If you would like any additional details, do not hesitate to contact our Society Chairman. How about a presentation about eclipses at your school?