Skywatchers Treated to Triple Feature Friday Night

Image from City AM

This Friday night into early Saturday morning, skywatchers will be treated to a rare concurrence featuring February’s full Snow Moon, a penumbral lunar eclipse, and the closest approach of Comet 45P. Friday night’s weather is forecast to start off partly cloudy and gradually clear as the night goes on thanks to a passing cold front.

Viewers hoping to see the eclipse should begin keeping an eye out for the rising full moon just after 6:00pm; peak viewing time is estimated to be 7:45 p.m. for the Space Coast. The next penumbral eclipse will not take place until 2020. Viewers looking to see Comet 45P on its pass by Earth may have trouble spotting the comet thanks to the bright skies from the moon. The best viewing time is estimated to be around 3:00am with binoculars or a telescope. The comet will remain visible until later this month.

For more information about these skywatching events, visit Space.com’s article about the eclipse, or visit USA Today’s piece about the triple feature. If you are planning to visit the Space Coast and are in need of accommodations, give us a call at (321)-784-5046 or e-mail us at [email protected]!