Telescopes at the ready: Lunar eclipse to take place next week

Michael Keaveny

Eagled eyed star gazers around Meath will be looking to the skies early next week when a total lunar eclipse and a supermoon take place. 
The astronomical phenomena, which will also be visible in North and South America, Africa and parts of Western Europe will be the last such event until 2022.
The total eclipse for Irish star gazers will unfold shortly before sunrise on Monday, January 21. 

The full Moon will be in the Earth's shadow from 3.34am Irish Time to 6.51am Irish Time. When the eclipse begins, a shadow will move in from the left, as if taking a bite out of the Moon.
The total eclipse will last about an hour, beginning at 4.41am Irish Time, according to NASA.

During the eclipse, the Moon will still be visible, but in a shade of red. That's why a lunar eclipse is often called a "blood Moon."
A 'Blood Moon' is when the Full Moon has dimmed down by a factor of nearly one million times and turned a reddish colour as it is lit up by light bent into the Earth's shadow by all the world's sunsets and sunrises.
It is believed that Irish people will not see an eclipse of this quality again until 2032.