Lunar Eclipse at Stardome

Overview

Auckland's Stardome on One Tree Hill has been a place for people to discover and enjoy the wonders of space since 1967, and is home to New Zealand's first and still largest planetarium. It's therefore a pretty good spot to gaze into the night skies above Maungakiekie-Tamaki on April 4th, and witness the astronomical phenomenon that is a lunar eclipse (the last chance to see one until 2018).

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes within Earth's shadow. As the eclipse begins, the Earth's shadow first darkens the Moon slightly, then the shadow passes in front of the moon, typically making it appear a reddy-brown colour. The eclipse taking place on April 4 is the former of two total lunar eclipses in 2015, and the third in a tetrad (four total lunar eclipses in series).

The Stardome will be putting on a short show prior to the eclipse, so as to teach viewers slightly more about the lunar phenomenon of the moon entering the dark core of earth's shadow. This strange and spectacular event will take place very quickly, so the Stardome's prime viewing spot will also allow people to make the very most of it.

The enjoyment of this event is weather dependent.