By Firitia Velt

The night of 8 to 9 October this year will bring us another lunar eclipse, almost equal to the one of the 15 April seen in Tonga.

Unfortunately during the April eclipse there were more clouds than not, distracting the view, and being early in the evening, although a convenient time, the moon stood low above the horizon, easily hidden behind a tree or so. We can only hope that this time it will be better. The weather we shall not know until the moment arrives, but the happening will be later in the night for sure, with the moon much higher up.

Strictly speaking the eclipse runs from 21:14 to 2:34, but not much will be visible close to the begin and end. The real obscuration does not begin until 22:15, and the moon will be completely in the earth's shadow at 23:35. It will remain there until 0:24, when light will slow return, which completes at 1:34.

The maximum of the eclipse is just before midnight, with the moon more than 60° above the northern horizon.

Interesting it is that you can find the planet Uranus close to the moon, just 2 moonwidths above it.

Uranus was the first planet discovered, in the 18th century, after the classical 5 planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) which were known from ancient times.

In principle it should be bright enough to see with the naked eye, but so close to the eclipsed yet still bright full moon, you will need at least binoculars to see it. It distinct bluegreenish tint should have help the identification.

Finally be forewarned that this is the last good lunar eclipse we shall see for a while here in Tonga. There will be one on 4 April 2015, but it will be partial, almost total but not completely. In 2017 one which will be even more partial. Not until 1 February 2018 will there be a good total lunar eclipse again.