A total lunar eclipse that will take place Thursday will be perfectly timed for Hawaii viewing.
Between Thursday evening and Friday morning, a lunar eclipse — when the full moon enters the Earth’s shadow, making it appear red — will be visible from most of North America, including Hawaii.
But while most viewers in the U.S. will need to stay up late or wake up early to catch the event, Hawaii residents can see the total eclipse begin and end before bedtime.
According to NASA data, a partial eclipse will begin at about 6:30 p.m. HST. It will reach totality at 8:26 p.m. and will last until 9:32 p.m.
“It’s very convenient for us, especially for families to sit up and watch the eclipse together,” said Leinani Lozi, education and engagement manager at the International Gemini Observatory.
Lozi said Hilo residents in particular should get a great view of the event.
The moon should enter the Earth’s penumbra — the lighter partial shadow around the darker innermost shadow — around 6:30 p.m., which should be right as the moon begins to rise above the eastern horizon.
“Seasonally, it’s good timing, too, because the moon will be rising in a good part of the sky,” Lozi said. “We had an eclipse two or three years ago that should have been visible in Hilo, but since it happened during May, the moon was rising behind some trees (so) nobody could see it.”
Of course, the good timing might be moot if the current weather forecast doesn’t change. The National Weather Service predicts an 80% chance of showers Thursday night.
Lozi said that, even if the eclipse is clouded out, the Subaru Telescope on Maunakea will livestream the event from above the clouds. That livestream can be viewed at Subaru’s Youtube channel at tinyurl.com/mr2edcm7.
If the weather is fair, Gemini will host a moongazing event Thursday evening at its base facility at 670 N. Aohoku Place in Hilo. While there is limited space for a 5 p.m. facility tour, any number of residents are invited to bring their own chair and snacks to the facility to observe the event and talk story with Gemini astronomers.
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
