Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight!
I just heard on the radio that there is a total lunar eclipse tonight (this morning, technically). I looked around and found a special page from NASA on it:
A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the early morning of Tuesday, August 28, 2007. The event is widely visible from the United States and Canada as well as South America, the Pacific Ocean, western Asia and Australia. During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon’s disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray. Source: NASA - Total Lunar Eclipse: August 28, 2007
Here is a diagram with transit times:
You know I was wondering if an eclipse was coming up because they only happen when sunset and moonrise are in sync. I was up on Mt. Doug here in Victoria taking some sunset pictures and noticed that a) the moon was nearly full (and looking awesome) and b) the Sun was setting at the same time.
While not a “once in a life time” experience by any stretch, a lunar eclipse is very cool to watch. Also you don’t need to worry about special glasses, observing boxes, or anything to observe them.
The NASA page has times for other timezones as well so set your alarm and check out the eclipse tonight.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I planning on seeing it - if I don’t get too sleepy :) There was something going around about it being Mars crossing over the moon or something - I’m assuming the people who wrote it (MySpace, go figure) were actually talking about this.
August 28th, 2007 at 3:07 am
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