Total moon eclipse on Wednesday

Malta will witness the first total eclipse of the moon for three years on Wednesday night if the skies are clear.

The island is “favourably positioned” to get a unique view from the first partial phase to the end of the eclipse, according to Tony Tanti, PRO of the Astronomical Society of Malta.

The society will be holding a public observing session at Żonqor Point, Marsascala, starting at 9 p.m.

The eclipse begins at 7.25 p.m. when the moon is still below the eastern horizon, but is difficult to detect. Only as the moon slides deeper into the penumbral shadow would a keen-eyed observer see a subtle shading of the lunar surface.

At 9.22 p.m. the Earth’s shadow will start the process of completely enveloping the moon. This will end at 11.03 p.m.

Some eclipses are such a dark grey-black that the moon nearly vanishes from view. During other eclipses it can glow a bright orange. Weather conditions and the amount of dust suspended in the air will also affect the transparency of the atmosphere.