Eclipse it! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

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.

.......................................................................................

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."

JStrider · 11-08-2003, 03:51 PM

i love seeing these kinds of things... i was really hoping to get to see it... but unfortuanatly its gonna be overcast here... :-(

santafe5000 · 11-08-2003, 03:54 PM

Would really have enjoyed the show, but it,s solid overcast and raining here in the Texas Panhandle where I currently am. Maybe next time.

sillygirl · 11-08-2003, 03:58 PM

Yay! Nice and clear here in Arizona! And it's been cloudy all week.... the gods are smiling on us today!

JStrider · 11-08-2003, 04:49 PM

my dad climbed halfdome a couple years ago and they summited the night of a lunar eclipse and they saw it from the summit... woulda been waaay cool to be there..

forseti-6 · 11-08-2003, 05:29 PM

I just saw it. It was pretty cool. Then I went back inside after 30 seconds. My camera couldn't take a picture of it. I guess I'd need a telescope or something to take a good picture of it.

Rubyee · 11-08-2003, 06:26 PM

Yeah, I got out the old camera and took a few pictures of it. I don't know if they will turn out, but if they do, I will be sure to post them.

DEI37 · 11-08-2003, 06:57 PM

It was pretty cool here in Wisconsin. Second one this year. I like watching them.

Craven Morehead · 11-08-2003, 07:08 PM

And it was red tonight, at least where I live it was. Anyone know why its red?

Imagine you are standing on the moon at totality. Looking at the earth all you would see is a black disk, with a red glow surrounding it. The red glow in the eastern hemisphere is the sun rising and in the western hemisphere its the sun setting. You would seeing the first rays of sulight in the east and the last remnants of sunlight in the west.

Last lunar eclipse I saw I was standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and the Hale Bopp comet was in the northwest sky. Totally awesome.

cchris · 11-08-2003, 07:59 PM

We did not get to see it as this reference shows but what a sight it must have been.

The eclipsed moon in infrared.

Why it looks like this.

During a total eclipse the Moon
shines with a orange reddish glow.

Without Earth's atmosphere, the Moon would disappear completely once immersed in the umbra. Longer wavelengths of light penetrate Earth's atmosphere better than shorter wavelengths, which is why the rising or setting sun looks reddish. In essence, the ruddy tint of a totally eclipsed moon comes from the ring of atmosphere around Earth's limb that scatters a sunset-like glow into the umbra.

The hue actually changes from one eclipse to another, ranging from a bright coppery orange to brownish. The Moon may darken so much that it becomes all but invisible to the unaided eye. These very dark lunar eclipses often occur after exceptional volcanic eruptions.

Totality will end at 1:31 UT, when the moon's leading edge exits the umbra. The moon will leave the umbra completely at 3:05 UT, and the eclipse will end at 4:22 UT when the moon makes its last contact with the penumbra.

LINK FOR INFO

Jonsgirl · 11-08-2003, 08:06 PM

Beautiful night. It's a wonder the clouds held off, but they did.
Got some pretty decent shots with my digital camera. I'll post 'em here in a few. Gotta find the cord for my camera.

anleja · 11-08-2003, 08:56 PM

All clear skies here in Michigan, thankfully.

Fremen · 11-08-2003, 09:32 PM

Son-of-a-grinch! I slept right through it.

I hope we have more warning next time, ART.

I can hardly wait for next year.

Thanks for the info, ART.

skier · 11-08-2003, 09:37 PM

I went up to the local observatory to go see it. Throughouly enjoyed myself, they had a nice 12 inch telescope which really brought out the full detail.
The reddish glow was really cool, and the varying colors gave the moon alot of visible depth. All in all a great experience.

niccoli · 11-08-2003, 09:51 PM

I'm so pissed that it was cloudy out tonight and I couldn't see it!

Sapper · 11-08-2003, 10:52 PM

Very cool pics !!

Snakebyt · 11-09-2003, 12:22 AM

too cloudy here for me to see a thing in the sky tonight

lady · 11-09-2003, 03:53 AM

Saw it tonight, but it wasn't red at all

Just looked like a waxing or waning crescent on it's side. Glad I saw it though.

Peetster · 11-09-2003, 04:29 AM

Almost totally eclipsed here, just a bare hint of white that traveled clockwise around the edge before the moon began to reappear from the earth's shadow. It was beautiful, very red. I brought my son outside just before it happened, and shouted, "I unleash the beast that will consume your moon-god! Make me your ruler and I will force it to regurgitate him later!". We both laughed pretty hard as it eclipsed.

ARTelevision · 11-09-2003, 05:11 AM

We walked out into the brisk 30-degree air of early November and looked up to see a fingernail-shaped edge of glowing light sliding slowly off of the freshly reddened surface of the eclipsed moon. The earth’s umbral shade was about a half-hour from totality by the time we settled in to our preferred viewing location – the bleachers of the athletic field down the block. Mostly dark and surrounded by trees, it’s an open amphitheater we use for viewing celestial events.

Even though these occurrances are well-publicized, we’re typically alone in this best place to see cosmic shows. Everyone else is evidently more interested in their regular television events than they are in witnessing what the universe is doing – no matter how spectacular it may be. Well, that’s just fine with us.

It was a wonderful totality and afterward we walked back to our home filled with the awe and wonderment that are available for free here on earth. It’s great to live in an infinite universe and to be able to experience it in all its glory by simply lifting up our eyes once in a while!

Fly · 11-09-2003, 06:00 AM

damn fine eclipse.

not a cloud in the sky here.

awsome........just awsome

ARTelevision · 11-09-2003, 11:00 AM

spived2 · 11-09-2003, 11:17 AM

We all gathered round to see this rare sight, waited, and as soon as it was about to come Bam! Cloud cover...

GuttersnipeXL · 11-09-2003, 12:39 PM

I was coming home from work last night, and saw the moon and said..."Oooooo, full moon! Neat!" Awhile later I went outside to go to the store and noticed a half moon....? What the...? I could have sworn it to be full just a few hours ago! Then I heard on the radio that it was a lunar eclipse. I had no idea it was happening last night. Definently a treat. The past few weeks have been great for checking out the night sky...with the eclipse last night and the Northern Lights last week. Just looking to the sky and witnessing the cosmic activity, and pondering all the possibilities of the universe is absolutely mindblowing. I really can't get enough!

rogue49 · 11-09-2003, 02:58 PM

If you liked that you should watch the Lenoid meteor shower.

It's going on around now
and it peaks around Nov. 18th (approx. 100 per hour)
And some good fireballs to boot.

That's always a wonderful sight on a clear night.

sailor · 11-09-2003, 03:01 PM

We (amazingly enough) actually got to see it last night. Usually, everytime there is something like this to see, it is raining, or at least cloudy.

I will also look for the meteor shower, but with all the development around, I dont think I will be able to see too much

Fremen · 11-09-2003, 07:16 PM

Turns out I couldn't see it anyway.
Its been raining and all cloudy here for about a week.

I just hope it clears up enough for the Leonid showers.
Thanks for mentioning them, rogue.

Craven Morehead · 11-09-2003, 07:31 PM

And speaking of Leonids

This site will tell you when they will appear, actually two occurances in Novemeber this year, the 13th and the 19th.

http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/estimator.html

rogue49 · 11-09-2003, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Craven Morehead
And speaking of Leonids

This site will tell you when they will appear, actually two occurances in Novemeber this year, the 13th and the 19th.

http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/estimator.html

Thanks...it goes on between the 11th to the 20th
peaks on the 18th and 19th

For me in Washington D.C....I should see the most at 12 to 1 am.
Should be awesome.

battlemouth · 11-10-2003, 12:22 PM

i saw it fine here in providence, kinda boring to watch

Dano069 · 11-10-2003, 01:43 PM

It was quite cool to see. The kids lost internest about half-way through, but, I would check it out from time to time. Once it got full, that was it for me. That's the second one I've seen.

Averett · 11-10-2003, 01:52 PM

I was lazy and didn't go outside.

Eldaire · 11-10-2003, 06:44 PM

Yeah, the clouds blocked my view. I was way bummed.

arael · 11-10-2003, 08:24 PM

I saw the whole thing. It was amazing

Willowsr · 11-11-2003, 12:16 PM

Art... nice of you to post a thread... I saw it... have been waiting anxiously for it... had the kids out to look at it... the orange/red was beautiful... brings to mind 'sci-fi' fantasy images of multiple, multicolored moons hanging low on the horizon of some far flung world... *broad smile* yep... I'm a dreamer...

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

11-08-2003, 03:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	i love seeing these kinds of things... i was really hoping to get to see it... but unfortuanatly its gonna be overcast here... :-( __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

11-08-2003, 03:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
santafe5000 EVIL! Location: Southwest of nowhere	Would really have enjoyed the show, but it,s solid overcast and raining here in the Texas Panhandle where I currently am. Maybe next time. __________________ When all else fails, QUIT.

11-08-2003, 03:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
sillygirl Newlywed Location: at home	Yay! Nice and clear here in Arizona! And it's been cloudy all week.... the gods are smiling on us today! __________________ Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly-Rose Franken ....absence makes me miss him more...

11-08-2003, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	my dad climbed halfdome a couple years ago and they summited the night of a lunar eclipse and they saw it from the summit... woulda been waaay cool to be there.. __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

11-08-2003, 05:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
forseti-6 Existentialist Location: New York City	I just saw it. It was pretty cool. Then I went back inside after 30 seconds. My camera couldn't take a picture of it. I guess I'd need a telescope or something to take a good picture of it. __________________ "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

11-08-2003, 06:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
Rubyee I'm baaaaack!	Yeah, I got out the old camera and took a few pictures of it. I don't know if they will turn out, but if they do, I will be sure to post them. __________________ You don't know from fun.

11-08-2003, 06:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	It was pretty cool here in Wisconsin. Second one this year. I like watching them. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

11-08-2003, 07:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	And it was red tonight, at least where I live it was. Anyone know why its red? Imagine you are standing on the moon at totality. Looking at the earth all you would see is a black disk, with a red glow surrounding it. The red glow in the eastern hemisphere is the sun rising and in the western hemisphere its the sun setting. You would seeing the first rays of sulight in the east and the last remnants of sunlight in the west. Last lunar eclipse I saw I was standing on the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and the Hale Bopp comet was in the northwest sky. Totally awesome.

11-08-2003, 07:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
cchris Junkie Location: Sydney	We did not get to see it as this reference shows but what a sight it must have been. The eclipsed moon in infrared. Why it looks like this. During a total eclipse the Moon shines with a orange reddish glow. Without Earth's atmosphere, the Moon would disappear completely once immersed in the umbra. Longer wavelengths of light penetrate Earth's atmosphere better than shorter wavelengths, which is why the rising or setting sun looks reddish. In essence, the ruddy tint of a totally eclipsed moon comes from the ring of atmosphere around Earth's limb that scatters a sunset-like glow into the umbra. The hue actually changes from one eclipse to another, ranging from a bright coppery orange to brownish. The Moon may darken so much that it becomes all but invisible to the unaided eye. These very dark lunar eclipses often occur after exceptional volcanic eruptions. Totality will end at 1:31 UT, when the moon's leading edge exits the umbra. The moon will leave the umbra completely at 3:05 UT, and the eclipse will end at 4:22 UT when the moon makes its last contact with the penumbra. LINK FOR INFO __________________ There's a fine line between participation and mockery

11-08-2003, 08:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jonsgirl Semi-Atomic Location: Home.	Beautiful night. It's a wonder the clouds held off, but they did. Got some pretty decent shots with my digital camera. I'll post 'em here in a few. Gotta find the cord for my camera. __________________ Someday, someone will best me. But it won't be today, and it won't be you.

11-08-2003, 08:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
anleja disconnected Location: ignoreland	All clear skies here in Michigan, thankfully.

11-08-2003, 09:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Son-of-a-grinch! I slept right through it. I hope we have more warning next time, ART. I can hardly wait for next year. Thanks for the info, ART. __________________ Google

11-08-2003, 09:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
skier Rawr! Location: Edmontania	I went up to the local observatory to go see it. Throughouly enjoyed myself, they had a nice 12 inch telescope which really brought out the full detail. The reddish glow was really cool, and the varying colors gave the moon alot of visible depth. All in all a great experience. __________________ "Asking a bomb squad if an old bomb is still "real" is not the best thing to do if you want to save it." - denim

11-08-2003, 09:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
niccoli Tilted Location: Denver, CO	I'm so pissed that it was cloudy out tonight and I couldn't see it!

11-09-2003, 11:17 AM	#23 (permalink)
spived2 Desert Rat Location: Arizona	We all gathered round to see this rare sight, waited, and as soon as it was about to come Bam! Cloud cover... __________________ "This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction, and so it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V." - V

11-08-2003, 10:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
Sapper Insane Location: The Internet	Very cool pics !! __________________ rm -f /bin/laden

11-09-2003, 12:22 AM	#17 (permalink)
Snakebyt Psycho Location: Lubbock Texas	too cloudy here for me to see a thing in the sky tonight

11-09-2003, 03:53 AM	#18 (permalink)
lady Addict Location: Vancouver, BC	Saw it tonight, but it wasn't red at all Just looked like a waxing or waning crescent on it's side. Glad I saw it though. __________________ Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt.

11-09-2003, 04:29 AM	#19 (permalink)
Peetster Right Now Location: Home	Almost totally eclipsed here, just a bare hint of white that traveled clockwise around the edge before the moon began to reappear from the earth's shadow. It was beautiful, very red. I brought my son outside just before it happened, and shouted, "I unleash the beast that will consume your moon-god! Make me your ruler and I will force it to regurgitate him later!". We both laughed pretty hard as it eclipsed.

11-09-2003, 05:11 AM	#20 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	Eclipsed! We walked out into the brisk 30-degree air of early November and looked up to see a fingernail-shaped edge of glowing light sliding slowly off of the freshly reddened surface of the eclipsed moon. The earth’s umbral shade was about a half-hour from totality by the time we settled in to our preferred viewing location – the bleachers of the athletic field down the block. Mostly dark and surrounded by trees, it’s an open amphitheater we use for viewing celestial events. Even though these occurrances are well-publicized, we’re typically alone in this best place to see cosmic shows. Everyone else is evidently more interested in their regular television events than they are in witnessing what the universe is doing – no matter how spectacular it may be. Well, that’s just fine with us. It was a wonderful totality and afterward we walked back to our home filled with the awe and wonderment that are available for free here on earth. It’s great to live in an infinite universe and to be able to experience it in all its glory by simply lifting up our eyes once in a while! __________________ create evolution

11-09-2003, 06:00 AM	#21 (permalink)
Fly see the links to my music? Location: Beautiful British Columbia	damn fine eclipse. not a cloud in the sky here. awsome........just awsome __________________ BASTARD SterlingStudios

11-09-2003, 11:00 AM	#22 (permalink)
ARTelevision I change Location: USA	__________________ create evolution

11-09-2003, 12:39 PM	#24 (permalink)
GuttersnipeXL Giggity Giggity!! Location: N'York	I was coming home from work last night, and saw the moon and said..."Oooooo, full moon! Neat!" Awhile later I went outside to go to the store and noticed a half moon....? What the...? I could have sworn it to be full just a few hours ago! Then I heard on the radio that it was a lunar eclipse. I had no idea it was happening last night. Definently a treat. The past few weeks have been great for checking out the night sky...with the eclipse last night and the Northern Lights last week. Just looking to the sky and witnessing the cosmic activity, and pondering all the possibilities of the universe is absolutely mindblowing. I really can't get enough! __________________ When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

11-09-2003, 02:58 PM	#25 (permalink)
rogue49 Loser	If you liked that you should watch the Lenoid meteor shower. It's going on around now and it peaks around Nov. 18th (approx. 100 per hour) And some good fireballs to boot. That's always a wonderful sight on a clear night.

11-09-2003, 03:01 PM	#26 (permalink)
sailor beauty in the breakdown Location: Chapel Hill, NC	We (amazingly enough) actually got to see it last night. Usually, everytime there is something like this to see, it is raining, or at least cloudy. I will also look for the meteor shower, but with all the development around, I dont think I will be able to see too much __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." --Plato

11-09-2003, 07:16 PM	#27 (permalink)
Fremen With a mustache, the cool factor would be too much Location: left side of my couch, East Texas	Turns out I couldn't see it anyway. Its been raining and all cloudy here for about a week. I just hope it clears up enough for the Leonid showers. Thanks for mentioning them, rogue. __________________ Google

11-09-2003, 07:31 PM	#28 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	And speaking of Leonids This site will tell you when they will appear, actually two occurances in Novemeber this year, the 13th and the 19th. http://leonid.arc.nasa.gov/estimator.html

11-10-2003, 12:22 PM	#30 (permalink)
battlemouth Robot Lovin' Location: Boston	i saw it fine here in providence, kinda boring to watch __________________ like a bullet through a flock of doves

11-10-2003, 01:43 PM	#31 (permalink)
Dano069 is Nucking Futs! Location: On the edge of sanity	It was quite cool to see. The kids lost internest about half-way through, but, I would check it out from time to time. Once it got full, that was it for me. That's the second one I've seen. __________________ I may look attentive, but I'm taking peeks down your blouse faster than the human eye can follow.

11-10-2003, 01:52 PM	#32 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	I was lazy and didn't go outside. __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

11-10-2003, 06:44 PM	#33 (permalink)
Eldaire Loser Location: Davidson College, NC	Yeah, the clouds blocked my view. I was way bummed.

11-10-2003, 08:24 PM	#34 (permalink)
arael Banned	I saw the whole thing. It was amazing

11-11-2003, 12:16 PM	#35 (permalink)
Willowsr Banned Location: Columbus, OH	Art... nice of you to post a thread... I saw it... have been waiting anxiously for it... had the kids out to look at it... the orange/red was beautiful... brings to mind 'sci-fi' fantasy images of multiple, multicolored moons hanging low on the horizon of some far flung world... broad smile yep... I'm a dreamer...