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March 3: Total Lunar Eclipse - A Viewing Guide
Depending on where you happen to be this coming March 3rd (save perhaps Alaska or Eastern Australia), there's a pretty good chance you'll be able to catch the full lunar eclipse, when Earth blocks most of the sunlight to the moon so that it appears a dark red-orange haze. I've collected some hints, tips and tools to ensure you maximize your eclipse viewing experience no matter where you are:
- Find the right time for your location. Have a look at the chart above (click to make it larger if you need to) -- where will you be on March 3? I'll be in North America (Las Vegas to be specific) so the eclipse will occur at moonrise. If you're in Asia or Australia, the eclipse will be visible at moonset. If you're in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, the eclipse will happen late at night, after moonrise but before moonset when the sky is at its darkest.
- When does the moon set or rise on March 3? Well, that depends on where you are! Luckily they have everything on the Internet, including this form to put in your location and get the exact time the moon will rise and set. Plugging in Las Vegas tells me the moonrise will occur at 17:51 on March 3rd, or 5:51 pm for you citizens.
- Now what? Okay, now that you know when the eclipse will be visible depending on where you are, how do you get the best view? If you're on the East Coast of North America you're in luck, as this is the best spot to see it. "Find a place with a clear view of the eastern horizon and station yourself there at sunset," says this guide from NASA. "As the sun goes down behind you, a red moon will rise before your eyes."
- Capture the moment. If you'd like to try your hand at photographing the lunar eclipse, this guide from MrEclipse.com has everything you need. Don't worry, Mr. Eclipse promises it is "fun and easy!" If you take some good photos, be sure and share them on the Gadling Flickr pool. Who knows, maybe it will be selected as a photo of the day.
Filed under: Learning
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Willy Feb 22nd 2007 1:59PM
6:33 pm on a Saturday night. Perfect. I printed out the photo tips, too. We'll be at the beach that night!
marybel Mar 2nd 2007 10:15AM
i live in vegas too...do you know where's the best spot to watch the lunar eclipse from?
a Mar 3rd 2007 1:11PM
I live in the eastern coast, which this sight says is the best place to see the lunar eclipse. I plan to watch it.
SUSAN SECRIST Mar 3rd 2007 1:11PM
We live in Pasadena, Md. When will be the best time to view?
Jason LaCroix Mar 3rd 2007 6:04PM
I think for certain the best place to see the eclipse will most definitely be somewhere in the sky. This includes most all the general area that is above your head. Except of course if you live in the southern hemisphere, then those people would want to look down below their feet.
Just because there is an eclipse, would we not all look for the moon in the same place we would see it any other night?
Savannah Mar 3rd 2007 6:04PM
This website was GREAT! I'm going to try and look at it! All this information was useful and just what I needed. Thanks!
Abdirahman Mar 4th 2007 4:29PM
It was really fantastic but o missed it so when is the heading lunar/solar eclipse.
Thanks.
Abdirahman
Dogarawa Mar 5th 2007 1:04PM
The March 3, 2007 moon eclipse lasted more than two hours in Nigeria covering the whole of it. When such thing happens, the Islamic teaching is that, Muslims pray two raka'at either in the mosques or at home and seek for forgiveness from Allah (SWT). It is recommended that the Imam leading the prayer should recite long Suras of the Qur'an especially sura Baqara and Ali Imran.
We started our prayers around 11.50pm local time and ended it around 1.05am. By the time we completed the two Raka'ats, the eclipse had started to subside.
Eclipses are sign that tells that people have become very sinful!
Regards.
Dogarawa