The Patterson Observatory will open for the year’s first total lunar eclipse on the evening of Sunday, May 15 beginning just after sunset. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and admission is free. You can bring your own telescope or binoculars or enjoy the eclipse through the observatory’s giant 20-inch or any of the smaller telescopes that members of the Huachuca Astronomy Club will set up. The event is weather dependent and in case of clouds, you can check for a recorded cancelation message by dialing 520-458-8278 extension 2214.
When the “Flower Moon” rises just before 7 p.m. MST, it will already be in the penumbral shadow of the Earth. The visible portion of the eclipse, however, begins when the moon enters the umbral shadow starting about 7:29 p.m. The moon will be totally eclipsed by 8:29 p.m. with mid eclipse at 9:13 p.m. Totality ends at 9:54 p.m.