Lunar Eclipse to be visible from Ireland this weekend

Astronomy Ireland is encouraging everyone in Ireland to get out and catch a glimpse.

You heard that right; Astronomy Ireland is encouraging everyone in the country to get out in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the deep partial eclipse of the moon.

While the east coast is typically favoured when it comes to visibility, no matter where you are in the country, if you watch the eastern horizon, you may be able to see the sun setting and the moon rising at exactly the same time.

By about 8pm on the east coast, the moon will sit on the horizon with just the lower left sliver visible as the rest of it is eclipsed.

It would be seen glowing a very dull red (what some call a 'blood red Moon') were it not for the fact that at sunset the sky is too bright with very strong twilight.

Because of this, even east coast viewers may have to wait for the sky to get darker and the moon to get higher.

Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, David Moore commented: “This is ok as the Moon does not slip out of the Earth's shadow (ending the partial phase of the eclipse) until 8.56pm by which time the Moon will be 8 degrees up in the east.

“Therefore I would be watching the east horizon (exactly opposite the Sun in the sky) from just before 8pm and until 8.56pm. At some stage you will see the partially eclipsed Moon low in the east, assuming the sky is clear of course."

The eclipse should be visible from all of Ireland until about 9:30pm.

Further, Astronomy Ireland has produced a special 'Eclipse issue' detailing the event, which is now available on their website.