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?"

[michigander]

The moon is shown in four images as it entered the earth's shadow during a total lunar eclipse Saturday night, Nov. 8, 2003,
as viewed from New York. Photos were taken at 6:30 p.m. EST, 7 p.m, 7:30 p.m., and 8:18 p.m. during totality. (AP Photo/Timothy E. Black)

[FairOpinion]

http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/info/timezone.htm

[sfRummygirl]

Aaaannnddddd.....of course the bay area is pouring rain. Can't see a damned thing.

[MHGinTN]

Thanks to all who took the time to offer the time ... uh, thanks to all that posted a key to the time conversion ... no, that sounds like I'm getting advice from a Galifreyan in his Tardis. Oh well, thanks folks. It got too cold to stay out and watch it.

[sfRummygirl]

These are great!

[sfRummygirl]

I see all our geek sides are coming out here....;-)

[xJones]

Thanks for the ping, but mah hoort is breaking - it's raining here.

[MHGinTN]

Whatever ... if you'll hand me the sonic screwdriver, I'll get us out of here!

[sfRummygirl]

hold on, k-9 is peeing on my leg...

[MHGinTN]

On a less series note, Tom Baker was my fav Doctor. Who was your fav? Also, do you have a favorite episode?

[sfRummygirl]

I have to admit, Tom was my favorite too, because I had a crush on him!
I actually am not really into sci-fi, only because it doesn't leave alot to the imagination. That may sound weird, but I need stories to be not so....I can't think of the word. Sci-fi is to planned. Everything is A to B to C....analytical? And on TV, it is even more so.
So, the stories didn't really catch me as much. Plus, by the time I saw it on repeats in the 80's, I was a teenager already.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[ChefKeith]

Thanks for the pics, too cloudy here in central Texas.

[jonatron]

I saw The moon here; before during and after eclipse right next to the Atlantic on a clear night. I think it was prettier before and after personally. I noticed it was nice to have the moonlight back afterwards.

[chatham]

Thanks, it was a beautiful event,not too much light polution on Cape Cod to spoil the show.

[chatham]

Thanks, it was a beautiful event,not too much light polution on Cape Cod to spoil the show.

[ChefKeith]

Is that like a Sonic Margarita? (Rt44 limeade slush+tequila)

[nwctwx]

http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/viewsingleimage.html?mode=singleimage&handle=Vortex&number=173

took that last night, beautiful evening!

[MHGinTN]

Great piece of work!

[sfRummygirl]

Hey, I just realized my Who post may have sounded like an insult if anyone WAS heavy into it....didn't mean it that way!;-)