From a Press Release:
Carolinas to experience another total eclipse of the moon
Rosman, NC (September 17, 2014) – Astronomers at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute announce that on the morning of Oct. 8, weather permitting, viewers in the Carolinas will be able to view the first part of a total eclipse of the Moon. This will be the second such eclipse visible from the Carolinas in 2014.
What causes an eclipse of the Moon, also called a lunar eclipse? As the Moon orbits the Earth, it comes to Full Moon once every 29½ days. Most months when this happens the Moon passes above or below the Earth’s shadow and we don’t have an eclipse. But twice per year (some years, three times), roughly six months apart, the Moon can pass through the Earth’s shadow and we have an eclipse. This is what is happening in the wee hours of October 8. Here are the circumstances on that morning:
4:45 am EDT Moon starts to enter the penumbra of the Earth’s shadow. This is extremely subtle and it will be about 30 minutes before anything is noticeable.
5:15 am EDT Moon starts to enter the umbra of the Earth’s shadow. Look for a “notch” in the left edge of the Moon.
6 25 am EDT Moon is entirely in the umbra; totality begins.
7:24 am EDT Moon starts to leave the umbra; totality is over.
7:31 am EDT Sunrise!
7:37 am EDT Moonset!
For the photographer, the October 8 eclipse should provide an opportunity for some spectacular pictures of the Moon, in full eclipse, low in the western sky. As is obvious from the times above, here in the Carolinas we will see only a little more than the first half of the eclipse as totality will end only minutes before sunrise and moonset. To see more or all of this eclipse, go visit your relatives out west or in Hawaii!
Realize that when we observe this eclipse of the Moon, the brightest thing we will see is the Full Moon before the eclipse. It is perfectly safe to look at a lunar eclipse with our unprotected eyes. This is not true with a solar eclipse, however.
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