The first lunar eclipse due for this year, 2017 will occur on Saturday (February 11) morning, when the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon.
This is a penumbral type of lunar eclipse occurring closer to the moonset at the western skies, according to Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, Director of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit, University of Colombo.
The eclipse begins at 4.04 am on February 11 with the moon entering into the penumbra of the earth’s shadow (less dark shadow) and ends up at 8.23 am Sri Lanka standard time. Greatest eclipse will take place at 6.13 am.
In a penumbral eclipse Moon will not enter into the dark shadow (umbra) of the Earth, but the lighter-shadow (penumbral shadow), he said.
“Therefore, during this particular eclipse you will see no dark shadow as in total or partial lunar eclipses, but only a reduction of the brightness of the Moon.”
Penumbral eclipses are difficult to observe, especially during the early and late stages. Nevertheless, a subtle yet distinct shading should be visible across the Moon, said Prof. Jayaratne .
The next and the last lunar eclipse due for this year is a partial lunar eclipse visible to Sri Lanka and it will occur at the midnight of August 07.
