The sun, earth and moon are preparing to align and local skywatchers can catch the action at Coronation Park on Thursday night. The Telus World of Science Edmonton (TWOSE) is holding a free outdoor viewing event for the deep partial lunar eclipse, which is expected to take place between 9 p.m. and midnight. “The moon will rise shortly before the partial eclipse begins, but it will initially be very low on the horizon,” Frank Florian, TWOSE senior manager of planetarium and space sciences, said in a Tuesday media release. “As the eclipse progresses, most of the moon may take on a striking reddish or coppery glow, while a small portion remains brightly illuminated.” A lunar eclipse happens when the moon has to pass through earth’s shadow when the sun, moon and earth are aligned, TWOSE said. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch with the naked eye. TWOSE said telescopes will be available for viewers. The moon is expected to become visible from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) Observatory around 9:15 p.m, TWOSE said. The eclipse maximum is expected to cover more than 96 per cent of the moon’s visible surface at 10:12 p.m.; the eclipse is expected to be over at 11:51 p.m. The main TWOSE building remains closed due to flooding and will not be accessible during the viewing event. Updates about the event can be found on the TWOSE website. TWOSE said the next total lunar eclipse visible from Edmonton will take place on June 25, 2029.
