Red Moon set to dive behind Earth (Lunar Eclipse tonight)

BBC ^ | November 8th, 2003 | David Whitehouse

[Sabertooth]

Red Moon set to dive behind Earth

By Dr David Whitehouse

BBC News Online science editor

The colour of the Moon can change dramatically

A total lunar eclipse will be visible on Saturday from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and much of Asia - if the weather is kind and gives clear skies.

The Moon regularly passes into the Earth's shadow and becomes dimmer. It happens about every six months or so.

A lunar eclipse has no great importance astronomically but can be enjoyed by many people without special equipment.

Skywatchers should train their eyes on the Moon from 2215 GMT, when it enters the outer edges of our planet's shadow.

In the UK, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England is using the eclipse to highlight the problem of light pollution.

Majestic clockwork

Mid-eclipse takes place between 0106 and 0131 GMT Sunday as the Moon transits the southern edge of the Earth's shadow.

WHERE IT WILL BE SEEN America, Europe, Africa and parts of Asia Dust and cloud in Earth's atmosphere may affect the Moon's colour

Totality is quite short this time because the Moon only passes just inside the full shadow of the Earth, and the Moon's southern edge, in particular, should remain fairly bright.

As the show progresses, the Moon will get dimmer and, possibly, turn reddish during mid-eclipse, when the only light that can reach the lunar surface is red light refracted through the Earth's atmosphere.

Astronomers will be scrutinising the Moon's surface through telescopes to note how its appearance changes as the Sun is obscured by the Earth.

The Moon leaves the last bit of shadow at 0422 GMT.

Skywatchers in North America will see the eclipse begin in twilight as the Moon rises on Saturday evening. It will all be over by US midnight.

Imperturbable serenity

Although lunar eclipses have no great scientific significance, they are a spectacle of nature that delights and enthrals.

In the past things were different. It was a portent from the sky, possibly a sign of divine displeasure.

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE Occurs when Moon passes into Earth's shadow Penumbra: Region where Earth blocks some (but not all) Sun rays Umbra: Zone where Earth blocks all direct sunlight - total eclipse

But as superstition has given way to reason, a lunar eclipse has rightly come to be regarded as an example of the majestic clockwork of the heavens.

Thomas Hardy said the movement of the Earth's shadow over the Moon had an "imperturbable serenity".

The colour effect is the stuff of myth and legend. An account in 331 BC said: "...all her light was sullied and suffused with the hue of blood."

Some ancients called it "the time of the blood of the Great Mother's wisdom", linking the Moon's colour with menstruation.

This was a natural thing to do given the link between the length of the month and human fertility.

Ugly orange glow

In 1503, Christopher Columbus, stranded in the Caribbean, used a lunar eclipse he knew would take place to impress the natives and secure respect and fear, as well as a regular supply of food.

In the UK, countryside campaigners are using the eclipse to highlight the increasing problem of light pollution of the night sky.

The say the Moon may be visible but scattered light from towns and cities is snuffing out the stars.

"A lunar eclipse is spectacular, but more often than not the sky in which it appears is smeared with an ugly orange glow from light pollution," said Tom Oliver, the CPRE's head of rural policy.

"Why should thoughtless, wasteful outdoor lighting spoil so many people's views of the heavens?"

[Sabertooth]

FR keywords of interest:
RAMADANDOUBLEECLIPSE and SIGNSANDWONDERS.

[MHGinTN]

How do GMT and EST relate, Toothy? I can never remember what 2200 GMT means to me in E. TN ... is that 10PM est?

[Severa]

Not sure which time zone you're in but EST is GMT minus 5hrs. CST is GMT minus 6hrs.

[martin_fierro]

As-If-You-Didn't-Already-Know PING

[MHGinTN]

So the eclipse starts for E. TN (western side of the eastern time zone) about 5 PM est?

[Mears]

Our weather guy in Boston said it would start around 5:00pm and be complete around 8:00pm.

[Sabertooth]

((((((growl)))))

[MHGinTN]

I'll get to observe some of it then! Great. Thanks. Heading for my Meade ...

[Victoria Delsoul]

FR keywords of interest:
RAMADANDOUBLEECLIPSE and SIGNSANDWONDERS.

Hmmm I think you are onto something, but then again, according to Tom Oliver, the CPRE's head of rural policy, the sky is smeared with an ugly orange glow from light pollution spoiling so many people's views of the heavens.

[rintense]

Hoping to see the eclipse here!

[GeronL]

Its cloudy and raining here, no eclipse for me

[billorites]

Beware the penumbra!

It's got these emanations lurking around in it that have bedeviled us for thirty years.

[flair2000]

Partial phase of eclipse has just started. Left side of moon darkening up. Got lucky here, been cloudy for days, just cleared up this evening.

[rs79bm]

I am taking pictures of this as we speak.....first sign of eclipse at 6:37pm est. I will post pictures at completion.

[ladyjane]

Are you in Lake Placid and it has started there? Here in Cambridge - the People's Republik - it is awesome.

[Aracelis]

RadioAstronomer is unavailable at the moment, so please accept my thanks from both of us. :^)

[rs79bm]

Near Lake Placid. I can literally just look out my window. I will have full 10-minute interval pictures around 8:30 or so when it is completed.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Saw it starting on my way home tonight. At first I thought it was a cloud.

Very neat!

[orangestar]

On Cape Cod-clear night. It is awesome. A nice chunk out of the moon's left hand side, and there is a visual effect of the moon splitting into three moons on the right.

[vikingchick]

Anybody know when this will start on the Left Coast? Thanks.