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May 4th, 2004 Moon Total Eclipse

Like 2003, 2004 is granting us with two total lunar eclipses. Total lunar eclipses occur when Moon is passing into shadow Earth is projecting behind it, screening Sun relative to Moon (for more about Moon eclipses see tutorial "Moon Eclipses"). May, 4th 2004 eclipse is a Middle East eclipse. North America is definitely out of the show. Eclipse is already running when Moon is rising, in Europe, western Africa, and South America. Eclipse is interrupted by Moon set in East Asia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand

A Moon total eclipse unfolds along a 7 moments sequence, from lunar limb's first contact with Earth penumbra, to Moon exiting penumbra (for interesting details about how to observe an eclipse see tutorial "Observing a Moon Eclipse")

Semi-durations:

Moon is transiting in Earth's umbra southern part. At greatest eclipse, Moon northern limb will pass 2.5' south of shadow's center as Moon southern limb is 10.2' away from shadow's southern edge. Hence Moon will appear darker in its northern part. For a Moon's path diagram and local conditions click on thumbnail above (map courtesy Fred Espenak's Eclipse Home Page). Moon is in the Scales. For additional data, see Fred Espenak's Eclipse Home Page

Observation Reports: webmaster could not watch the eclipse. Pictures sent at SpaceWeather.com are showing an eclipse maybe a bit lighter than the one of last November, 9th 2003. see at SpaceWeather.com