[SATLUG] [off topic] lunar eclipse

[Justin D. Burdette]

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Celestial Greetings from the Scobee Planetarium

We have a total lunar eclipse coming!

During the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 28th 2007, the full Moon
passes directly through the Earth's shadow.  The result is a beautiful lunar
eclipse, in this case, a total lunar eclipse!  However, this celestial
spectacular requires an alarm clock because it takes place during in the
"wee" hours prior to sunrise.  Here's the timetable for San Antonio and the
Central Time Zone.

The most notable portion of August 28th's lunar eclipse begins around 3:50am
as the full Moon starts to encounter the outer edges of the Earth's darker
shadow called the umbra.  For the next hour, more and more of our lunar
companion progresses into shadow.

BEST VIEWS - 4:52am through 6:23am on August 28th

"Prime Time" for the lunar eclipse occurs during totality - when the Moon is
completely immersed inside the Earth's shadow.  Totality begins at 4:52am
and continues until 6:23am.  Mid-point of totality and the middle of the
eclipse occurs at 5:37am.  During totality, the Moon will shine with an
eerie, orange-red glow.  This coloring is produced by sunlight filtered
through the Earth's atmosphere, illuminating the eclipsed Moon.  This orange
or red glow makes lunar eclipses very beautiful.  By the way, you'll find
the Moon above the western horizon during the best stages of the eclipse.



Unfortunately, we won't be able to enjoy the last portion of the lunar
eclipse because the Moon sets beneath the western horizon.  However, between
5:00am and 6:00am the total lunar eclipse should be quite spectacular!

Remember, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to observe with your eyes,
through binoculars, or with a telescope.

By the way, our next opportunity to see a total lunar eclipse takes place on
the night of February 20th, 2008.

I should mention that the college observatory is not planning an eclipse
viewing session because of the early morning hour and the fact that the
event does not require a telescope.  Also, the local TV weathermen remind me
that our August skies prior to sunrise are often very cloudy.  We'll see.

Good luck!

Bob Kelley

Scobee Planetarium Educational Specialist
San Antonio College
733-2913
bkelley at accd.edu