Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

    Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd May 2022

    The early morning of Monday 16th sees a total lunar eclipse. The Full Moon will enter the Earth's outer shadow at 2.32am. Totality begins at 4.29am. Between those times, the Moon will be located towards the south west.

    You will only be able to observe the totality for about half an hour because it will be getting light at 5am and this will destroy the effect.

    A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth lies directly between the Sun and the Moon and the Moon lies in the shadow of the Earth. For a total lunar eclipse, all three bodies have to lie in a straight line so that the Moon passes through the darkest part of the Earth's shadow, technically known as the "Umbra".

    During a total lunar eclipse the Moon turns a deep red because it is being illuminated by sunlight that has passed through the Earth's atmosphere and the light is then bent back towards the Moon by refraction.

    If all that sounds a bit confusing, I have provided a diagram explaining it, courtesy of Wikipedia.

    There are a few good evening opportunities to spot the International Space Station next week. Monday 16th at 11.06pm, Tuesday 17th at 11.55pm, Wednesday 18th at 11.07pm and slightly earlier on Thursday 19th at 10.19pm. The ISS will appear in the west and spend the best part of 7 minutes passing almost directly overhead, before disappearing towards the east.

    Screenshots courtesy of Stellarium
    Copyright Adrian Dening and Radio Ninesprings 2022

    May be an image of sky and text that says "Arcturus Moon"

    May be an image of text that says "Penumbra Umbra Orbit of the Earth Orbit of the Moon Sun"

    More from Community & Charity News

    • Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

      Monday 10th to Sunday 16th February 2025

    • Cold Weather Scam

      Criminals are exploiting the cold weather, sending fraudulent texts on winter fuel payments to people in Somerset.

    • Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

      Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th February 2025

    • Headlights

      Experts have warned that motorists are at risk of a fine of £1,000 for flashing their headlights at other drivers.

    • Yeovil Country Park

      Improvements are being carried out to the pedestrian and cycling pathway, linking Pen Mill railway station with nearby Yeovil Country Park.

    • NHS Somerset

      People who regularly attend A&E at Somerset’s hospitals are getting additional help to find services that better meet their needs.

    • Recycling Changes

      Somerset businesses are being reminded of their new responsibilities as the government brings in new legislation around waste and recycling.

    • Dog DNA

      Avon and Somerset Police are encouraging dog owners to protect their pets from theft by entering their details into a DNA doggy database.

    Today's Weather

    • Yeovil

      Sunny intervals

      High: 8°C | Low: 2°C

    • Chard

      Sunny

      High: 7°C | Low: 1°C

    • Crewkerne

      Sunny

      High: 7°C | Low: 1°C

    • Somerton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 8°C | Low: 2°C

    • Wincanton

      Sunny intervals

      High: 8°C | Low: 2°C

    Recently Played