sire_012
10-27-2004, 09:21 AM
Astronomers predict red moon during total lunar eclipse
Last Updated Tue, 26 Oct 2004 18:26:36 EDT
CALGARY - The full moon may turn a deep, reddish orange on Wednesday night, astronomers say.
If skies are clear, people can expect to see the colour change as the Earth's shadow falls over the face of the moon in a total lunar eclipse.
Late Wednesday night, skygazers in North America will be able to watch the eclipse with the naked eye, although telescopes or binoculars will show more detail.
The orange and red light will appear as the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon.
Eclipses give scientists a chance to learn more about the quality of Earth's atmosphere, according to Fred Espenak, an astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Wednesday's eclipse is expected to look more reddish because of the extra ash released by recent eruptions of Mount St. Helens in Washington.
Total lunar eclipses occur every couple of years or so.
The next such celestial display will not be until March 2007.
To watch the eclipse, look for a spot with an unobstructed view to the east. In North America, the total eclipse begins at 10:23 p.m. EDT and ends at 11:45 p.m. EDT.
Last Updated Tue, 26 Oct 2004 18:26:36 EDT
CALGARY - The full moon may turn a deep, reddish orange on Wednesday night, astronomers say.
If skies are clear, people can expect to see the colour change as the Earth's shadow falls over the face of the moon in a total lunar eclipse.
Late Wednesday night, skygazers in North America will be able to watch the eclipse with the naked eye, although telescopes or binoculars will show more detail.
The orange and red light will appear as the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon.
Eclipses give scientists a chance to learn more about the quality of Earth's atmosphere, according to Fred Espenak, an astronomer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Wednesday's eclipse is expected to look more reddish because of the extra ash released by recent eruptions of Mount St. Helens in Washington.
Total lunar eclipses occur every couple of years or so.
The next such celestial display will not be until March 2007.
To watch the eclipse, look for a spot with an unobstructed view to the east. In North America, the total eclipse begins at 10:23 p.m. EDT and ends at 11:45 p.m. EDT.