Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Lunar Eclipse

You can believe in all sorts of full-moon folklore, from the advent of werewolves, lunatics running amok, an increase in suicide, more bank robberies than usual, or a corruption of the tides.

But, if you want to see the full moon glowing in a dramatic range of colors, anything from bright orange to blood red, dark brown or dark gray, then look to the sky starting at 8:43 p.m tonight.

The lunar eclipse will last for three hours and 26 minutes. The full moon will be in Total Eclipse for 50 minutes....beginning at 10:01 pm and exists Total Eclipse at 10:51 p.m. This will be the last visible eclipse of the moon in North America until 2010...according to NASA.

Dark eclipses are usually the result of volcanic dust in the atmosphere. There hasn't been any recent volcanic activity so, scientists believe this lunar eclipse will be a vivid red or orange in the 'total' phase.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch with the naked eye. No protective filters are necessary. Neither is a telescope. If you have binoculars, you will be able to get an enhanced view. Either way, it should be a spectacular sight.

I'll be watching...will you?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll be at work. -pout-

Maybe I'll volunteer to go outside and collect shopping carts or something and see if I can see anything in this light-polluted city I live in.

San said...

I read about it and then missed it anyway. Darn.

Did it live up to your expectations, Patty?

Patty said...

Oh yes, San. It was spectacular!