MOON ECLIPSE. In France, a lunar eclipse that is difficult to observe will occur this Monday, March 25, 2024. An update on the key dates of the year and on this astronomical phenomenon.
[Updated March 24, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.] The first lunar eclipse of 2024 will take place this Monday, March 25. Quite discreet at the time when it will occur in mainland France, it will be difficult to observe. Indeed, "the penumbra zone will be lit a little by the Sun, on the sides. The Moon will still be in the eclipse zone. It will remain a little lit (in this penumbra zone) but indirectly" , explains Florent Deleflie, astronomer at the Paris Observatory (PLS) and IMCCE, for Actu.fr.
This next penumbral eclipse on March 25 will, however, be visible in its entirety over the American continent, a western part of the Atlantic Ocean and an eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. Residents of Eastern America will be able to enjoy the spectacle at moonrise, while those in Oceania at moonset...
According to IMCCE. There will have only been two this year, visible from France... The second lunar eclipse of 2024 will also be partial. It will take place on September 18, 2024. In our file, we explain how an eclipse is formed, how to see it and even photograph it.
A lunar eclipse will occur on Monday, March 25. Its entry into the darkness is scheduled for 5:53 a.m. French time (4:53 a.m. UTC). The maximum of the eclipse will be forecast for 8:12 a.m. French time. Finally, its emergence from darkness will take place at 10:32 a.m. French time.
The next lunar eclipse completely visible in mainland France will not take place before December 20, 2029... Scientists predict an incredible spectacle all night long!
It is important to emphasize that the astronomical phenomenon of the lunar eclipse is only possible when the Moon is full. A lunar eclipse can only take place when the Moon is opposite the Sun from the Earth and is therefore in the full moon phase.
If the sky is clear, there is no problem observing a lunar eclipse with the naked eye, without any danger (unlike the solar eclipse) and without special equipment. We advise you to position yourself towards the clear horizon and turn towards the southwest. The observation location must be located far from any light pollution (at the top of a hill, on a beach etc...) As for a super moon, in case you are in an area where clouds veil its visibility, you can arm yourself with your telescope, your binoculars or a pair of astronomical glasses to observe the lunar eclipse even better.
For those who wish to immortalize the phenomenon, you can equip yourself with a standard 50mm lens as well as longer focal length lenses (between 200mm and 2700mm on a full frame sensor). The important thing is to have a tripod to avoid camera shake. The use of a telephoto lens is obviously ideal so that the moon fits entirely into the frame, but for photographers with a short focal length, you can create an eclipse sequence (successive superimpositions of the different phases of the eclipse on the same photograph). Given the low light during the lunar eclipse, set your camera with medium to high sensitivity depending on the phase of the eclipse, as well as a wide aperture.
