Lunar and Solar Eclipses in the year 2011

Six total eclipses can be observed during this year 2011, four partial eclipses of the Sun and two total lunar eclipses. The appearance of so many eclipses in one year is extremely rare. In this century only seven events of this kind will happen.

All solar eclipses during 2011 are partial eclipses ranging from 3% eclipsed, up to 87.3%. Only the first in January can be seen in some parts of Europe.

To observe solar eclipses safety precautions are needed to protect the eyes. The best method for observation in a group is to use the projection of sun’s image on a screen. Another common one is to use special sun filters for each student.

There are two Total Lunar Eclipses occurring this year and these can be viewed easily without the need for eye protection. The subtle darkening of the moon during a Total Lunar Eclipse is spectacular and lasts a long time.

The solar and lunar eclipses will be on these dates:

• January 4, 2011; partial solar eclipse
• June 1, 2011; partial solar eclipse
• June 15, 2011; total lunar eclipse
• July 1, 2011; partial solar eclipse
• November 25, 2011; partial solar eclipse
• December 10, 2011; total lunar eclipse

Partial solar eclipse June 1

Visible in: parts of Scandinavia, Arctic, Asia, Alaska, North of Canada

• 19:25-23:07 UT/GMT

NOTE: The times are given in Universal Time (UT). Therefore for the use in connection with an observation it may be necessary be necessary to transfer the Universal Time in the Local Time of your country.

Lunar eclipse June 15

Visible in: Europe, central and east Africa, Middle East, central Asia, India, western edge of Australia

• Partial eclipse begins: 18:22:56 UT/GMT
• Total eclipse begins: 19:22:30 UT/GMT
• Total eclipse ends: 21:02:37 UT/GMT
• Greatest eclipse: 20:12:37 UT/GMT
• Partial eclipse ends: 22:02:15 UT/GMT
• Penumbral eclipse ends: 23:00:45 UT/GMT
• Magnitude of eclipse: 1.705

REMARKS 

• The eclipse is a long one. The moon is deeply passing through the shadow of the earth.
• The totality phase will last 100 minutes.

Lunar eclipse December 10

• Visible in: Europe, Asia, Australia
• Partial eclipse begins: 12:45:42 UT/GMT
• Total eclipse begins: 14:06:16 UT/GMT
• Greatest eclipse: 14:31:49 UT/GMT
• Total eclipse ends: 14:57:58 UT/GMT
• Partial eclipse ends: 16:17:58 UT/GMT
• Penumbral eclipse ends: 17:30:00 UT/GMT
• Magnitude of eclipse: 1.111

Hints for further information

• http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEdecade/SEdecade2011.html
  
• http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2011.html
  
• http://www.eclipse-glasses.com/index.php?page=&section=106-terres-traversa-es---horaires
• http://eclipsegeeks.com/SolarandLunarEclipses2011.aspx