Second lunar eclipsein a year tomorrow

Hardened skywatchers will be getting up in the early hours of tomorrow morning to watch the total eclipse of the moon.

It is the second time in less than a year that there has been a lunar eclipse visible in Ireland, but they are still relatively rare occurrences.

The previous eclipse prior to last year was in 2003 and the next one is not due until September 28th, 2015.

This year's lunar eclipse begins at 1.43am tomorrow. Totality begins at 3.01am and ends at 3.51am, when the Earth's shadow will dim the light of the full moon to a millionth of what it was before the eclipse began.

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth is directly between the sun and the moon. Solar eclipses, which are a much rarer occurrence, happen when the moon passes between Earth and the sun.

Last year's eclipse, which was on March 4th, occurred in near- perfect conditions and hundreds of people took to the Phoenix Park and other places nationwide to watch the moon turn a dusky red and orange colour.

The forecast this time is for some broken cloud and rain spreading from the west, but there are likely to be breaks in the cloud to allow observers to see the spectacle and the eclipse will be bright enough to be seen through all but the thickest cloud cover.

Astronomy Ireland director David Moore said: "My advice is to stay outside and watch it. You will see something. The chances of it being cloudy in every part of Ireland all night are practically zero.

"We are advising everybody to stay up or to set their alarm to witness this spectacular and beautiful sight."