Total lunar eclipse to be seen incompletely from Vienna on May 16

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The total lunar eclipse on May 16 is for observers from Austria, only something for frugal early risers. Especially in Vienna, it can be seen only very incompletely.

The moon sets over Vienna only very weakly, partially eclipsed in the dawn. Somewhat better is the situation in Tyrol and Vorarlberg, where there is still a piece of totality, which is hardly perceptible; however, because of the twilight, Alexander Pikhard of the Viennese working group for astronomy (WAA).

Lunar eclipses only occur at the full moon. Sun, earth, and moon stand precisely on a line, and the earth‘s satellite wanders through the planet’s shadow. The moon can ultimately be (total lunar eclipse) or partially (partial lunar eclipse) immersed in the Earth’s umbra.

Anticipation for a lunar eclipse in Vienna on May 16 dampened.

There will be a total lunar eclipse on May 16, “however, the anticipation for it is muted because you will only see the beginning of the eclipse and that under unfavorable conditions,” WAA chief Pikhard told APA. Finally, at 4:28 a.m., the moon begins to dip into the Earth’s umbra, kicking off the partial eclipse. However, it is already very bright then. The beginning of the so-called “civil twilight” – when one can read a newspaper outdoors without artificial lighting – is already at 4.36 a.m. in Vienna. Totality begins at 5.29 a.m. and thus only after sunrise (5.14 a.m.) or moonset (5.16 a.m., both for Vienna).

Further west, because of the later sunrise (5:43 a.m.) and moonset (5:46 a.m., both in Bregenz), “there is still a bit of totality in Tyrol and Vorarlberg, but it is practically invisible in the twilight,” Pichard said.

A partial solar eclipse is to be seen on October 25

This year, fans of cosmic shadow play still offer a partial solar eclipse on October 25. The second total lunar eclipse of the year on Nov. 8 will remain completely hidden in this country, visible only from the Pacific Ocean or in the Arctic. The next full-length total eclipse of the moon cannot be observed in Austria until December 31, 2028.