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Royal Astronomical Society of New ZealandAstronomical Events in 2008 |
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Royal Astronomical Society of New ZealandAstronomical Events in 2008 |
Eclipses of Sun and Moon during 2008 Eclipses for other years.
For much more detailed information on eclipses and transits go to Fred Espenak's eclipse site.
Whenever the Sun is to be observed safe viewing methods must be used. Any attempt to view the Sun directly could result in instant blindness.
The safest way is to project the image of the Sun onto a suitable screen. Alternatively a suitable, specially designed, Solar filter may be placed in front of the telescope.
It is NOT safe to use a filter at the eyepiece as the focussed heat from the Sun could shatter it. If unsure of safe methods consult your local astronomical society about suitable ways of observing Solar events.
There are four eclipses during 2008, two each of the Sun and Moon. The solar eclipse of February 7 is annular, visible as a partial eclipse from New Zealand. The second eclipse on August 1 is a total eclipse with a path in the Arctic from north of Canada to north of Europe before heading southeast across Siberia into China in the Gobi Desert region. This eclipse is not visible from any part of the southern hemisphere.
The first eclipse of the Moon on February 21 is total, visible from much of Africa, Europe, the Atlantic and the American continent. No part is visible from New Zealand nor Australia. The second lunar eclipse on August 16 is partial. The earlier parts are visible from Australia, especially in the west. It is virtually unobservable from New Zealand, although southern parts of the South Island will see the start of the partial umbral stage before moonset.
Annular eclipse of the Sun February 7.
Visible as a partial eclipse from New Zealand.
Total eclipse of the Moon February 21. No part visible from New Zealand.
Total eclipse of the Sun August 1. No part visible from the Southern hemisphere.
Partial eclipse of the Moon August 16. Partly visible from the extreme south of New Zealand and from Australia.
This eclipse occurs over the south of the southern hemisphere with the path of annularity starting in Antarctica to the south of South America. At first it travels to the west before turning north and the north east over the south Pacific Ocean. It ends at sunset about half way between New Zealand and Chile.
A partial eclipse is visible from almost the whole of the Antarctic continent, New Zealand and parts of Australia southeast of a line running from just north of Adelaide to Broken Hill and Rockhampton. Outside the Antarctic, New Zealand sees the deepest eclipse, with over 60% of the Sun covered as seen from much of the country. Eastern parts of the North Island will have the greatest eclipse with 63% of the Sun covered. At Auckland 57.5% of the Sun will be hidden.
Despite much of the Sun being obscured there will be little noticeable change in the intensity of sunlight. Anyone intending to view the eclipse should check the safe methods of viewing.
North Island Start Maximum End Fractn
h: m: s h: m: s h: m: s Covered
Whangarei 4:49:26 5:53:55 6:52:42 0.555
Auckland 4:46:35 5:51:44 6:51:08 0.575
Thames 4:46:13 5:51:28 6:50:57 0.586
Tauranga 4:45:05 5:50:34 6:50:18 0.599
Hamilton 4:44:31 5:50:07 6:49:56 0.591
Whakatane 4:44:44 5:50:17 6:50:04 0.611
Rotorua 4:43:58 5:49:40 6:49:37 0.606
Gisborne 4:43:21 5:49:07 6:49:09 0.630
Taupo 4:42:34 5:48:33 6:48:45 0.611
New Plymouth 4:40:48 5:47:o6 6:47:37 0.593
Napier 4:40:55 5:47:11 6:47:40 0.628
Hastings 4:40:29 5:46:50 6:47:24 0.629
Wanganui 4:39:02 5:45:40 6:46:31 0.614
Dannevirke 4:38:49 5:45:29 6:46:22 0.628
Palmerston N 4:38:15 5:45:01 6:46:00 0.625
Levin 4:37:29 5:44:24 6:45:31 0.624
Masterton 4:36:50 5:43:50 6:45:04 0.632
Carterton 4:36:32 5:43:36 6:44:52 0.631
Featherston 4:36:17 5:43:23 6:44:43 0.630
Wellington 4:35:32 5:42:47 6:44:15 0.627
South Island Start Maximum End Fractn
h: m: s h: m: s h: m: s Covered
Nelson 4:34:52 5:42:14 6:43:48 0.610
Blenheim 4:34:37 5:42:01 6:43:38 0.620
Westport 4:32:54 5:40:34 6:42:26 0.597
Kaikoura 4:32:18 5:40:05 6:42:05 0.627
Greymouth 4:30:54 5:38:52 6:41:04 0.601
Hokitika 4:30:09 5:38:15 6:40:34 0.601
Christchurch 4:28:59 5:37:16 6:39:49 0.628
Ashburton 4:27:37 5:36:06 6:38:51 0.622
Mt John 4:26:43 5:35:19 6:38:12 0.609
Geraldine 4:26:54 5:35:29 6:38:20 0.619
Timaru 4:26:06 5:34:48 6:37:47 0.622
Waimate 4:25:09 5:33:58 6:37:06 0.624
Queenstown 4:23:09 5:32:11 6:35:33 0.600
Oamaru 4:24:18 5:33:14 6:36:29 0.626
Alexandra 4:22:59 5:32:04 6:35:29 0.611
Te Anau 4:21:37 5:30:47 6:34:21 0.594
Dunedin 4:22:06 5:31:18 6:34:53 0.629
Gore 4:20:38 5:30:00 6:33:46 0.615
Balclutha 4:20:44 5:30:06 6:33:53 0.625
Invercargill 4:19:36 5:29:04 6:32:58 0.612
This total eclipse of the Moon is visible from much of Africa and Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and the American continent. The Moon will be in total eclipse for just over 48 minutes as it passes through the southwestern part of the Earth's shadow.
No part of the eclipse is visible from New Zealand, Australia and most of Asia.
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Path of the Moon through the Earth's shadow1. First contact with penumbra.2. First contact with umbra, Moon starts moving into the full shadow. 3. Second contact with umbra, total eclipse begins. 4. Mid total eclipse. 5. Third contact with umbra, total eclipse ends. 6. Fourth contact with umbra, Moon leaves the full shadow. 7. Last contact with penumbra.
Visibility and Times of the Eclipse (below) |
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The greatest eclipse is in northwest Siberia at Nadym where totality last for 2 minutes and 27 seconds.
A partial eclipse is visible from all the Arctic as well as northeast Canada at sunrise. Across the Atlantic it is visible from most of Europe except Spain, southern Italy and Greece. Further east it is visible from virtually all of mainland Asia, except western part of Saudi Arabia. Near the eastern seaboard of Asia the partial eclipse occurs at sunset.
This partial eclipse of the Moon is visible from much of Asia, Africa and Europe. The start of the umbral phase is also visible from all of Australia and Indonesia, but the entire umbral phase is only visible from the extreme west of Australia and western Indonesia.
From New Zealand at least some of the first penumbral stage is visible. However there will be little change to the Moon during this stage The start of the umbral stage is also visible from the southern third of the South Island with the Moon low and close to setting.
The Moon will be in partial eclipse for just over 3 hours with nearly 81% of the Moon in total shadow at maximum.
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Path of the Moon through the Earth's shadow1. First contact with penumbra.2. First contact with umbra, Moon starts moving into the full shadow. 4. Maximum partial eclipse. 6. Fourth contact with umbra, Moon leaves the full shadow. 7. Last contact with penumbra.
Visibility and Times of the Eclipse (below) |
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