Though locals missed out on last week’s much-publicized solar eclipse, the moon will offer a consolation prize this weekend.
This coming Saturday’s early morning lunar eclipse will kick off the summer star-gazing season — but it won’t be the only, or even the best, eclipse-viewing event to take place this year. A season-end lunar eclipse that will take place in September will bookend the season with eclipse events, said Patrick Wiggins, a local resident and Solar Systems Ambassador for NASA.
Those wishing to start their star-gazing a bit early — in more sense than one — this summer should get up around 4-5 a.m. to watch Saturday’s eclipse. The full event will run from about 4:15 a.m. to moonset, but the moon will only be fully eclipsed from 5:54-6:06 a.m.
At just 12 minutes, this weekend’s eclipse will be one of the shortest of the season, making it a great opportunity for early-risers to watch the event’s entire progression, Wiggins said.
For those night-owls who prefer to get their shut-eye and watch an eclipse too, the lunar eclipse on Sept. 27, which will begin just after sunset, may offer a better opportunity.
On April 11 a star party at the Stansbury Park Observatory Complex will mark the official beginning of Tooele County’s traditional star-gazing festivities.
These star parties, which are hosted by the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, allow the public to interact with some of Utah’s largest telescopes — and some smaller devices as well — while asking questions of experienced hobbyists and experts from the surrounding area.
Residents may come view plants, galaxies and nebulae and other celestial sites through any number of available telescopes during the events. Local hobbyists are also welcome to bring their own telescopes to share or to get help with their own devices.
Though the moon is always a popular and spectacular sight, Wiggins said there will be many opportunities this year to view the planets — including Venus, which will be the first planet to appear in night skies this year, as well as Jupiter and Wiggins’ personal favorite, Saturn.
The Salt Lake Astronomical Society plans to host two Stansbury star parties a month this summer, so long as weather permits. Scheduled dates for parties include April 25, May 9 and 23, June 6 and 27, July 11 and 25, Aug. 8 and 22, Sep. 5 and 19, and Oct. 2, 3 and 24.
All star parties begin at dusk; end time varies with season. The events are always free to all comers. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately — summer nights can still get a little chilly — and to check the weather beforehand, as star parties may be canceled due to inclement weather or clouds.
More information is available at SLAS.us and Utah.Astro.Info.
