For Immediate Release:  December 1, 2011

Saturday, December 10, 2011

 
Edmonton, AB -- In the morning hours of Saturday, December 10, a total lunar eclipse, will be seen from parts of Canada, USA, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the extreme Arctic, clear skies permitting.  The following is a list of times for the eclipse events as seen from Edmonton, Alberta:

5:45 a.m. Partial eclipse begins  

7:33 a.m. Mid-eclipse

7:57 a.m. Total lunar eclipse ends

8:40 a.m. Moon sets in the Northwest (from Edmonton) while partial egress eclipse phase in progress

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon travels directly through the Earth's shadow in space and this occurs only when we have the right alignment between the Sun, Earth and Moon.  During the total eclipse portion the Moon will have completely entered the Earth's dark (umbral) shadow making the Moon take on a dark red or rusty appearance.  Although no direct sunlight is reaching the Moon during the umbral eclipse, the Moon does become illuminated by a small amount of long wavelength (red) sunlight bending through the Earth's thin atmosphere.  The next total lunar eclipse, visible from Alberta in its entirety, will take place during the overnight hours on April 14/15, 2014.  See a simulation of this December's lunar eclipse and learn more about what is up in our winter night sky in the Margaret Zeidler Star Theatre's live sky show presentation "The Digital Universe".

Viewing a lunar eclipse will require no special filters or optical instruments.  It is entirely safe to watch, unlike a solar eclipse.  Telescopes and binoculars will give you a better view by showing greater detail on the Moon but are not necessary to view a lunar eclipse.  

For individuals wishing to look at the lunar eclipse through telescopes and to see other celestial highlights of our winter night sky, TELUS World of Science - Edmonton and the

Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (Edmonton Centre) will have telescopes set up at the TELUS World of Science's Observatory in Coronation Park from 5:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.  Telescopes will also be set up along the sidewalk to the Northwest of the Observatory as our telescopes in the Observatory cannot view objects too low in the Northwest.

Viewing the eclipse at TELUS World of Science is free of charge!  Remember, the event is weather dependant and consequently viewing the event at TELUS World of Science will be cancelled if there is cloud cover.  

Frank Florian
Science Director
TELUS World of Science - Edmonton
Phone:  452-9100, Ext. 2295  Email

TELUS World of Science - Edmonton is a world-class, broad-based science centre that inspires and motivates people to learn about and contribute to science and technology. TELUS World of Science - Edmonton is a leader in providing high quality, interactive programs and exhibits that provide an avenue for both learning and entertainment, and which spark the imagination of people of all ages. The Edmonton Space & Science Foundation is a non-profit organization that operates TELUS World of Science - Edmonton.