Aussies would witness penumbral lunar eclipse, bright Jupiter on early Wednesday

On early Wednesday, two celestial events will occur which Australians could witness. These are the penumbral lunar eclipse and a bright Jupiter.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration says that the penumbral lunar eclipse would peak at 7:48 am Eastern Time (4:48 am Pacific Time). In Australia, parts of Asia and the Pacific, it would be partly visible, reports Dispatch Tribunal.

It would last for about four hours, and would begin between 5:37 pm and 7:37 pm in Australia, depending on the location. According to Lifehacker, for those within the AEST time zone, the eclipse begins at 7:37 pm and ends at 11:57 pm. Those in the ACST time zone would witness it from 7:07 pm through 11:27 pm, while people who live in the AWST time zone would have it earlier, from 5:37 pm through 9:57 pm.

There would be a darkening of the southern part of the moon’s disk during the lunar eclipse. That’s because Earth would be casting a shadow over three-fourths of the moon and dim it slightly.

To view the eclipse, no special equipment is needed. It could be observed with the naked eye. Face the southwest direction, preferably on a high place and away from city lights. If possible, head for the countryside to get a better view of the lunar eclipse. It is a penumbral lunar eclipse because the moon moves through the outer shadow of Earth and the eclipse features are less pronounced.

As for Jupiter, its brightness will be of -2.5 magnitude. Since the largest planet in the Solar System reached 15 days ago on March 8, Jupiter would be seen in the skies all night long.