Lunar Events 2013

LUNAR CALENDAR

ECLIPSES

April 25: Partial Lunar Eclipse occurs when the northern half of the full Moon passes through Earth's shadow.

May 10: Annular Solar Eclipse occurs when the sun and the moon are exactly in line, but the moon appears to be smaller than the sun leaving a bright ring around the moon at the time of eclipse. Viisble in Australia, New Zealand and the central Pacific.

May 25: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. The penumbra causes a subtle darkening of the Moon's surface.

October 18: Penumbral Lunar Eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s penumbra. The penumbra causes a subtle darkening of the Moon's surface.

November 3: Hybrid Solar Eclipse shifts between a total and annular eclipse. At certain point, a hybrid eclipse appears as a total eclipse, whereas at other points it appears as annular, depending on the location where the eclipse is being viewed from Earth. This eclipse can be viewed from the Eastern Americas, Southern Europe and Africa.

METEOR SHOWERS

Meteor showers, often the result of Earth passing through the dust trail left of a passing comment, are named after the constellation from which meteors appear to radiate. The brightness of the Moon can affect visibility. The most visible showers in 2010 will be the Perseid and Geminid showers.

PLANET WATCHING

Five planets can be seen with the unaided eye and are often brighter than most stars.

Planets visible throughout the night include Mars (January 29), Jupiter (September 21) and Saturn (March 22).

From August 1-14, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Saturn will be clustered together low in the west, visible with the naked eye after sunset. On August 11 and 12th, Jupiter will join the 4 planets, along with the cresent Moon.