SAN ANTONIO – If you’re in San Antonio, get ready for an exciting astronomical event! On Thursday night, skywatchers will have the unique opportunity to witness a stunning partial lunar eclipse as the full moon moves through Earth’s shadow. This particular eclipse is expected to be one of the most remarkable seen in South Texas for years, with almost the entire moon slipping into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow.
What is a partial lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth positions itself directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. During a partial lunar eclipse, only a portion of the moon enters the darkest part of the shadow, known as the umbra. Unlike a total lunar eclipse, where the moon can appear red and completely dark, a partial eclipse will result in a shadow gradually covering most of the moon.
On Thursday night, the Earth will pass between the Sun and the Moon, casting an orange shadow across the lunar surface. At its peak, around 96% of the moon will be obscured by Earth’s shadow, leaving just a small illuminated section visible.
Timeline
The moon will rise in the east-southeast during the initial stages of the eclipse and will gradually ascend higher into the southeastern sky as the night progresses. You won’t require any special equipment to enjoy the view; simply step outside and look up at the sky. For those keen on details, binoculars or a telescope can enhance the viewing experience, but the eclipse will be easily visible to the naked eye, even from within the city limits of San Antonio.
Here’s what to expect:
San Antonio’s forecast
The weather forecast looks promising for lunar viewing across San Antonio. Expect partly cloudy skies on Thursday evening, though isolated showers or thunderstorms may pop up earlier in the night. Fortunately, widespread rain is not anticipated during the peak viewing hours.
Cloud cover could be the primary challenge, but many residents in Bexar County and South Texas should still find opportunities to catch glimpses of the eclipse through breaks in the clouds. So, grab your friends, head outside, and enjoy this celestial spectacle!
Thursday Evening forecasts clouds but some breaks in between
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