We are a GO the Lunar Eclipse observation at Kaleideum North
this Sunday night, January 20th. We should be set up and ready for guests by 9 pm.
The weather forecast for Sunday calls for a warm rainy morning,
with a strong cold front moving through around midday,
with temperatures falling through the day to around 27-28 degrees
by the beginning of the eclipse and continuing to fall to around 22
by the end of the eclipse. Winds in the afternoon will be very strong
with sustained winds around 20 mph and gusts to around 40, from the NNW (a cold wind). The winds should die off some, to around 15 mph +
by the start of the event. A small patch of clouds are forecast to pass
over the area around 7-8 pm, but this should pass quickly.
Needless to say, preparation for the cold is of the utmost importance. You’ll definitely want to bundle up in layers for sure. Another trick we often use when observing in the cold is to use the “Hot Hands” brand of hand warmers. A few of the regular hand warmer packs, or the super sized ones if you want to serious, pinned to the lower back, near bottom of your rib cage, on your base layer is highly recommended (think of these as preheaters for blood flowing through your kidneys). Maintaining your core temperature is the key to staying warm in cold conditions. We have found this method makes a real and noticeable difference in comfort in these conditions. These hand warmers are available from many sources such as Walmart or Walgreen’s which whom who also carries their own store brand of back warmer pads, same sort of item just bigger that work well too.
Be prepared!
We hope to see some of you there.
The FAS has a public observation scheduled for this coming Sunday night, January 20th, at Kaleideum North, for the total lunar eclipse happening that evening. With the moon being full and bright early in the evening. This will wash out all other dark sky objects and with no planets to currently observe, the eclipse will be our primary focus. Given the lack of other targets we won’t be set up and ready until after 9 pm Sunday evening.
Here are the relevant times for the eclipse:
- Penumbral phase starts: 9:36 pm
- Partial eclipse starts: 10:34 pm
- Full eclipse begins at: 11:41 pm
- Maximum eclipse occurs at: 12:14 am
- Full eclipse ends at: 12:43 am
- Partial eclipse ends at: 1:50 am
- Penumbral phase ends at: 2:48 am
Duration of Full Eclipse: 1 hour 2 minutes
Duration of Partial Eclipse: 2 hours 15 minutes.
Total Duration: 5 hours 12 minutes
The current forecast for Sunday calls for AM showers, a high of 56 (early in the day),
possibly clearing skies around midday, and falling temperatures throughout the afternoon, with a temperature at the start time being around 29 degrees, windy and falling to around 20, by the end of the event. Be prepared for very cold and blustery conditions.
The timing of this clearing on Sunday could affect the event. We will make a final weather
call on Saturday, by midday.
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