Just before the death of his mother his interest in astronomy had begun after seeing the eclipse of 25 July 1748. Maskelyne writing about his school education said:
Lamang bago ang kamatayan ng kanyang ina sa kanyang interes sa astronomy, ay nagsimula pagkatapos na nakikita ang paglalaho ng 25 Hulyo 1748. Maskelyne pagsusulat tungkol sa kanyang paaralan ng edukasyon said: