Partial lunar eclipse that hasn’t been seen in nearly 600 years will be visible overnight
A partial lunar eclipse set to peak over Alberta early Friday morning — which hasn't been seen for nearly 600 years — is sure to draw out photographers, amateur astronomers and general enthusiasts of celestial events.
Don Hladiuk, a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, says he'll likely head west to see the partial eclipse if the clouds over Calgary don’t clear up enough.
“I’m willing to make a drive within reason to find some clear skies,” he said.
Starting just after midnight, Hladiuk says the moon will enter the dark part of the earth’s shadow and will take several hours to pass through, until it peaks just after 2 a.m MT.
There will be 97 per cent coverage.
Lunar eclipses aren’t unusual, but Hladiuk says this one is unique because it’s going to take longer to complete.
"There has not been this long of a partial eclipse since 1440. It’s been nearly 600 years since we’ve had this very long partial eclipse," he said.
The long wait makes it easy for professional photographers like Neil Zeller to capture beautiful images of the event. He will also try to find a clear vantage point to view the eclipse.
“The key to this is a very long lens, 500 to 600 mm would be a telephoto lens to use because it brings the moon closer than even our eyes can see it so we can create pretty impressive views," he said.
Hladiuk will be bringing his telescope and a pair of binoculars, but if people don’t have the fancy equipment, he says the eclipse will be safe to view with the naked eye.
As long as there aren’t any clouds, it can be viewed anywhere in the city.
“I have a reclining lawn chair set up with a sleeping bag so I don’t have to strain my neck, I‘ll be able to just lie back and have some hot chocolate to stay warm," he said.
Hladiuk says the moon will start to enter the dark part of the earth’s shadow around 12:19 a.m MT and exit at 3:47 a.m MT.
There will be a full lunar eclipse next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.