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A total lunar eclipse will be visible in North America on Feb. 20.

By University Communications
February 12, 2008

Flandrau: The University of Arizona Science Center will partner with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association for a free public viewing of the upcoming total lunar eclipse on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.

The event also will feature a talk by Tom Fleming, associate astronomer and senior lecturer at the UA.

A total eclipse of the moon will occur just after sunset for most of North America and all of South America on Feb. 20. It will be visible in Western Europe, Africa and western Asia on Feb. 21.

The moon is conveniently placed in the eastern sky in the constellation Leo the Lion for evening viewing. Additionally, this eclipse includes a rare bonus – Saturn is just a few degrees from the moon, along with Regulus, Leo's brightest star. All three objects will fit within a binocular field of view. Also gracing the sky will be Mars, two months removed from its closest position to Earth for eight more years.

The full moon will pass into the inner umbral shadow of the Earth and will be visible in partial eclipse rising over the eastern horizon at around 6:48 p.m. in Tucson, although novice sky gazers might not notice a distinct darkening around the moon's lower left edge until a few minutes after this time.

The total portion of the eclipse will start at around 8:03 p.m. and will last until 8:51 p.m. local time. This will be the last total lunar eclipse until the night of Dec. 20-21, 2010, and the last such eclipse conveniently visible in the evening until Sept. 27, 2015. As all other eclipses from now until 2015 will occur after midnight.

The cost to attend the presentation is $5 per person for adults and children 4 and older. Viewing is free, however donations are encouraged.

Flandrau Science Center is located on campus at the northeast corner of Cherry Avenue and University Boulevard. Free parking is available in metered spaces and many parking lots after 5 p.m. For more information about the eclipse, the night sky and planetarium shows, call 621-STAR (7827) or visit the Flandrau Web site.