Total lunar eclipse Saturday night

gldstwmn · #1 03-02-2007, 02:25 PM

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/0....ap/index.html

LONDON, England (AP) -- The moon will turn shades of amber and crimson Saturday night as it passes behind the Earth's shadow in the first total lunar eclipse in three years.

The eclipse will be at least partly visible from Asia to the Americas, although those in Europe, Africa and the Middle East will have the best view.

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth passes between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light. The event is rare because the moon spends most of its time either above or below the plane of Earth's orbit.

Although it will pass completely under Earth's shadow, light from the sun will still reach the moon after being refracted through Earth's atmosphere, giving the moon an eerie dark reddish tinge.

"It's not an event that has any scientific value, but it's something everybody can enjoy," said Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Earth's shadow will begin moving across the moon at 3:18 p.m. ET Saturday, with the total eclipse occurring at 5:44 p.m. ET and lasting more than an hour.

Observers in eastern North America and South America will find the moon already partially or totally eclipsed by the time it rises over the horizon Saturday evening.

Alaska, eastern Australia and New Zealand will miss the show altogether.

The next total lunar eclipse will occur August 28.

bretonbanquet · #2 03-02-2007, 02:36 PM

Eclipses are great

I'd happily travel the world chasing eclipses.. We had a full solar eclipse over Cornwall in '99 and it was comfortably the weirdest thing I've ever known. It freaked some people out but I thought it was great

sparky · #3 03-02-2007, 02:53 PM

This is all well and good. But when, tell me, when the HELL is the total eclipse of the heart?

skcin · #4 03-02-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

This is all well and good. But when, tell me, when the HELL is the total eclipse of the heart?

That is so gay.

Sarah · #5 03-02-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

This is all well and good. But when, tell me, when the HELL is the total eclipse of the heart?

oh god, that song. the dan band's performance in old school...

i ****in' need you more than evarrrr!

skcin · #6 03-02-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarah

oh god, that song. the dan band's performance in old school...

i ****in' need you more than evarrrr!

"Every now and then I get a little bit terrified, I see that ****in' look in your eye!"

sparky · #7 03-02-2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

That is so gay.

Ha. And I hate that stupid song! But, it is really funny.

What really kills me is the line, "Every now and then I fall apart."

Like, it's so casual. As if she is saying, "I like candlelit dinners, walks on the beach, old movies, and every now and then I fall apart."

Yup. So gay.

Sarah · #8 03-02-2007, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparky

Yup. So gay.

I'm so offended. I think I'll sue you.

back in the napster days, i always would crack up when searching for "stevie nicks" because total eclipse would always pull up. c'mon people! and atlanta rhythm section's imaginary lover. blech.. those songs are horrible. i'm sad i kinda like them.