Deep partial eclipse of the moon to be visible in Ireland this weekend

Ellen O'Donoghue

A deep partial eclipse of the moon is set to be visible at sunset on Sunday in Ireland.

The eclipse is set to take place eastward at around 8pm until roughly 9.30pm on September 7th, visible all across Ireland, although the east coast is slightly favoured.

Eclipses are said to be one of the most spectacular sights in nature, enthralling the public imagination.

People in Ireland have been encouraged to watch and take pictures by Astronomy Ireland magazine.

David Moore, the magazine's editor and an astronomer who has broadcast on TV and radio for 40 years, said that there will not be a total eclipse of the moon visible in Ireland until New Year's Eve 2028, over three years away.

"So, we want people to make the most of this eclipse and send us their photos for a special edition of Astronomy Ireland magazine we are going to publish," he said.

"There will be an almost-total eclipse of the Sun next year on August 12th 2026, that will see over 90 per cent of the Sun covered, a totally different phenomenon that will see the landscape dim and temperatures drop.

"It is fully Total from Spain and we advise people to book a holiday in the Sun for this date as there has not been a total solar eclipse on Irish soil since 1724 and there will not be another one until 2090," said Mr. Moore.

Mr Moore added that having seen two total eclipses of the sun in his lifetime, he feels they are the most spectacular sight in nature.

"A bit different to what we will see this Sunday, but all eclipses are caused by the Sun-Earth-Moon lining up in a perfect straight line - a very lucky coincidence of nature that no one should miss this weekend," he said.

Astronomy Ireland has encouraged people all around Ireland to take photos of the eclipse, even with a simple camera phone, for them to publish in their next magazine. To submit your photo, you can visit Astronomy.ie and send it to the contact email address.