Adrian Dening's Stars Over Somerset

Thursday, 28 August 2025 10:59

Monday 1st to Sunday 7th September 2025

The evening of Tuesday 2nd is the optimum time to spot the clair-obscur visual effects known as the "Lunar X and V", where sunlight falling on the Moon's surface reflects off particular features and creates recognisable shapes.

Look towards the south south west around 11pm and the Moon will be about to set below the horizon. You will need your telescope to be able to spot the "X" and "V" shapes on the terminator between light and dark on the lunar surface.

A little to the right of the "V" you can find the dark area known as the "Sea of Tranquility" where Apollo 11 landed back in 1969. Of course there isn't really any water on the Moon, but early astronomers thought that the large dark, flat areas must be oceans and the names stuck.

Sticking with our neighbour in the Solar System, but moving on to the evening of Sunday 7th, we have a lunar eclipse. As the Moon rises above the horizon at sunset, it is fully immersed in the Earth's shadow.

Look towards the east at 7.45pm to catch the Moon popping its head above the horizon and at that time, it will appear quite dark because it is totally eclipsed - this is called "totality".

Gradually, over the following hour, as the Moon comes out of totality and rises in the sky, you will see more and more of its surface illuminated. If you are still watching it at 8.15pm, you will also be able to notice Saturn rising above the horizon in the same place.