Lunar Eclipse Tonight!

[Digital Marine]

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.

link
It better not be cloudy around here, grr.

[evanfitz]

I've been waiting for this about 2 weeks now, glad its coming tonight (5:44 ET) on a Saturday.

[osnunez]

Too bad it's not going to be 'fully visible' in my neighborhood.

[Anthony91]

I hate living near the Pacific. Though I haven't seen an eclipse in a while though. So that's a plus.

[Niels]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...d.php?t=106491

Coincidence? I don't think so.

[Aerosoul]

I'm excited.
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/lunar.html

[Ria]

Thanks guys, I didn't know about this. I'll have my camera ready.

[Aerosoul]

It's happening right now I believe.

[schwarz]

Too bad its sonwing here AGAIN.

[cosimo]

Is a beautiful clear night here. In fact the moon is unusually bright tonight. Will be going out with the dogs and my camera in about an hour to have a look.

[Fee Fi Fo Fum]

I just went outside to see it, looks stunning. In about half an hour it will be at full eclipse, I can see it from my window... Rare indeed.

[cosimo]

I've just had a look, I didn't expect it to look so good. The red colour is really deep. I imagine it must have been scary for people when they didn't know what it was.

[Anthony91]

I can't see anything outside but a bright yellow sun and goddamn clouds.

[Zarathustra]

Cloudy. :/

[Fee Fi Fo Fum]

I've just had a look, I didn't expect it to look so good. The red colour is really deep. I imagine it must have been scary for people when they didn't know what it was.

Go back out at 23:20, that's when it's at full eclipse.