Dear Editor,

There will be an eclipse of the moon this evening. The full moon will rise at 5.57 pm (in the east) already partially eclipsed at lower right. It will be totally eclipsed by 6.44 pm and will remain so until 7.58 pm, when moonshine will start reappearing a little to the left of the bottom.

The full moon will reappear in unnoticeable penumbra when the last umbra (Earth shadow) disappears from the top at 9.12 pm

During total eclipse it will be lit by earthshine and may appear anything from invisible to grey to red to green, or even a rare blue moon, at different times, depending on atmospheric conditions. Its position will be roughly where the sun would be for the corresponding a.m. hours.

All times are calculated for east Georgetown. They will not differ much for the rest of the country.

The moon will be below the belly of the lion of the constellation LEO, which should about fit in the palm of your hand extended at arm’s length out in that direction flat against the sky. The planet Saturn should also be seen in the position indicated as an untwinkling pale yellow star. The only other planet visible is Venus, which is the brightest object in the sky after the sun and moon.

You can see it setting over in the west if you look early enough.

Don’t expect to see the moon in Leo Sunday night.

Yours faithfully,

Alfred Bhulai