There will be a total lunar eclipse this coming Thursday, March 13, and astronomer Matthew Johnson plans an eclipse viewing event at the town baseball field on Mountain Road, beginning at 11:30 p.m.
Johnson will be on site at 11:30 p.m. but the eclipse will not be noticeable until about 1:00 a.m. At that time, the Earth’s umbra will begin to shadow the moon, turning it red.
The total eclipse will occur at 2:26 a.m. when the entire moon becomes dark red. Its maximum effect occurs at 2:58 a.m., when the moon is in the center of the Earth’s umbral shadow. It ends at 3:31 a.m. The whole celestial show is over at 6:00 a.m.
Attendees are advised to dress for a mid-March night and to bring handwarmers, hot beverages, snacks, a chair and their own optical devices to view the heavens.
Johnson will hold a second observation opportunity on the morning of March 29 when there will be a partial solar eclipse. Particulars about that event will be announced later.
The events will be cancelled by inclement weather, high winds, if the skies are 75 percent or more covered by clouds.
The event is sponsored by Aton Forest.