Penumbral Lunar
Eclipse of March 14

The first lunar eclipse of
2006 is a deep penumbral event best visible from Europe, Middle Easr and Africa. First and
last penumbral contacts occur at 21:22 UT and 02:14 UT (Mar 15), respectively.
The Moon's path through Earth's penumbra as well as a map showing worldwide
visibility of the event is shown in Figure 1.
Observers throughout most of North America
will find the eclipse already in progress as the Moon rises on the evening of
March 14. However, no eclipse will be visible from westernmost North America (Yukon, British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California)
since the event ends there before moonrise. This particular event is unusual
since it is a total penumbral eclipse. The whole Moon will lie completely
within the penumbral shadow from 23:18 UT to 00:18 UT (Mar 15). According to
Belgian eclipse expert Jean Meeus [1997] this is one
of only five such events during the 21st century. Greatest eclipse occurs at
23:48 UT with a penumbral magnitude of 1.0565. At that instant, the Moon will
stand midway in the penumbral shadow. The Moon's northern limb will lie 1.6 arc-minutes from the shadow's outer edge while the
southern limb be 1.6 arc-minutes from the edge of the umbra.
Penumbral eclipses are
difficult to observe, especially during the early and late stages.
Nevertheless, a subtle yet distinct shading should be
visible across the southern half of the Moon, especially during the two hour
period centered on greatest eclipse.
Copied from: F. Espenak, NASA's GSFC site:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/eclipse.html
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