Total Eclipse of the Heart, er, Moon
Last time there was a total lunar eclipse, I was stuck in Buffalo on a semi cloudy night. Today’s weather report is “mostly clear” so we’ll see how well I can see the lunar eclipse. Anyway, here’s some info on it!
Lunar eclipse to occur Wednesday night
The last total lunar eclipse until 2010 occurs Wednesday night, with cameo appearances by Saturn and the bright star Regulus on either side of the veiled full moon.Skywatchers viewing through a telescope will have the added treat of seeing Saturn’s handsome rings.
Weather permitting, the total eclipse can be seen from North and South America. People in Europe and Africa will be able to see it high in the sky before dawn on Thursday.
As the moonlight dims — it won’t go totally dark — Saturn and Regulus will pop out and sandwich the moon. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo.
Jack Horkheimer, host of the PBS show “Star Gazer,” called the event “the moon, the lord of the rings and heart of the lion eclipse.”
Wednesday’s event will be the last total lunar eclipse until Dec. 20, 2010. Last year there were two.
Wednesday’s total eclipse phase will last nearly an hour. Earth’s shadow is expected to blot out the moon beginning around 7 p.m. on the West Coast and 10 p.m. on the East Coast. West Coast skygazers will miss the start of the eclipse because it occurs before the moon rises.
You can bet if I can see it, there WILL be pictures. I may even bust out the tripod and zoom lens if the weather’s right!
i froze my ass off as i ran outside in my sweats & flipflops & tried to take a picture. unfortunately i couldn’t get a good shot without my tripod AND there are too many street lights on my street! *grrrrrrr* but at least i got to see it… i hope you got some good pics cuz it was SO cool!