Look up! It’s a lunar eclipse
By on
February 20th, 2008
One of nature’s marvels — a total eclipse of the moon — is underway.
Simply walk outside and look up.
Passing clouds might obscure the view from time to time, but the celestial show will continue until around 11 p.m.
The partial phase of the eclipse began at 8:43 p.m., as the darkest part of Earth’s shadow started creeping across the lunar surface.
But the best part of the spectacle runs from 10:01 p.m. until 10:51 p.m., when the moon is totally eclipsed.
During those 50 minutes, it should turn red, reddish brown or reddish orange, the color painted by sunlight that is bending around our planet en route to the moon.
No need for eye protection, but a telescope or binoculars will enhance the view.
”This is something we humans cannot alter or touch,” Horkheimer said. “It’s completely out of our control. No politicians can mess with it by even a microsecond.”
Politicians also are powerless to make it happen again, though nature has a plan.
The next total lunar eclipse will occur in December 2010.
Now, stop reading this story and go outside.
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