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ARTelevision · 11-08-2003, 03:44 PM

The Moon dips into the shadows
Sky watchers will get a chance to view a total lunar eclipse this weekend.
by Matt Quandt

On Saturday night, November 8, observers in eastern North America will be plunged into an unnatural darkness. No, we’re not predicting another extensive blackout. On that evening, one of the most dramatic sights in nature — a total lunar eclipse — will occur.

While East Coast observers will get to see the whole event just after dinner, West Coast viewers will see totality in the waning stages of evening twilight. Moon watchers in Europe and Africa will be perfectly positioned to see the eclipse, but there the event will occur during the early morning hours of November 9.

The first hint of the lunar eclipse arrives with the onset of the penumbral phase at 5:15 p.m. EST. First contact with the edge of Earth’s dark umbral shadow comes at 6:32 p.m. EST, followed by the onset of totality at 8:06 p.m. EST. Totality lasts only 25 minutes, with maximum eclipse occurring at 8:18 p.m. EST. Expect a fairly bright eclipse because the Moon doesn’t venture too deeply into the shadow. The partial phase ends at 10:04 p.m. EST, and the penumbral eclipse wraps up at 11:22 p.m. EST.

With the bright lunar surface in darkness, viewers will see that Earth’s shadow is not totally black, but a dim shade of red. Somewhat like the Cheshire Cat, the Moon’s southern limb will show a brighter smile because it lies nearer the shadow’s edge.

After this total eclipse of the Moon, North American residents will not have to wait long for the next one. The Moon will again dip into Earth's shadow on Wednesday, October 27, 2004.

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This type of celestial event is worth the candle of our time and attention. It's always a good thing to gaze skyward and observe our place in the cosmos. Early humans shuddered at the sight of the moon's discoloration by the earth's umbra. "Umbra" itself is a Latin word for "shade" or "shadow" but often used poetically and translated as "ghost."

11-08-2003, 03:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Eclipse it! The Moon dips into the shadows Sky watchers will get a chance to view a total lunar eclipse this weekend. by Matt Quandt On Saturday night, November 8, observers in eastern North America will be plunged into an unnatural darkness. No, we’re not predicting another extensive blackout. On that evening, one of the most dramatic sights in nature — a total lunar eclipse — will occur. While East Coast observers will get to see the whole event just after dinner, West Coast viewers will see totality in the waning stages of evening twilight. Moon watchers in Europe and Africa will be perfectly positioned to see the eclipse, but there the event will occur during the early morning hours of November 9. The first hint of the lunar eclipse arrives with the onset of the penumbral phase at 5:15 p.m. EST. First contact with the edge of Earth’s dark umbral shadow comes at 6:32 p.m. EST, followed by the onset of totality at 8:06 p.m. EST. Totality lasts only 25 minutes, with maximum eclipse occurring at 8:18 p.m. EST. Expect a fairly bright eclipse because the Moon doesn’t venture too deeply into the shadow. The partial phase ends at 10:04 p.m. EST, and the penumbral eclipse wraps up at 11:22 p.m. EST. With the bright lunar surface in darkness, viewers will see that Earth’s shadow is not totally black, but a dim shade of red. Somewhat like the Cheshire Cat, the Moon’s southern limb will show a brighter smile because it lies nearer the shadow’s edge. After this total eclipse of the Moon, North American residents will not have to wait long for the next one. The Moon will again dip into Earth's shadow on Wednesday, October 27, 2004. ....................................................................................... This type of celestial event is worth the candle of our time and attention. It's always a good thing to gaze skyward and observe our place in the cosmos. Early humans shuddered at the sight of the moon's discoloration by the earth's umbra. "Umbra" itself is a Latin word for "shade" or "shadow" but often used poetically and translated as "ghost." __________________ create evolution