SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns watching the sky during the early morning hours of June 26 will be treated to a partial eclipse of the moon.
According to NASA Solar System Ambassador to Utah Patrick Wiggins, the most easily visible part of the eclipse will start about 4:17 a.m. Maximum eclipse will occur at 5:38 a.m., when about half of the moon will be in shadow and the moon will be setting in the southwest. The final "coming out" stages of the eclipse will not be visible from Utah.
Unlike eclipses of the sun, which require special observing equipment, eclipses of the moon can be viewed safely with no special equipment.
Those watching the eclipse might notice a bright star in the lower, southeastern sky. That "star" will actually be Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system.
For additional astronomical information, including a list of all eclipses visible from Utah through 2025, visit Wiggins' Solar System Ambassador website at utahastro.info.