Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight 161
chuckpeters writes "A total lunar eclipse will soon darken the full moon for most of North and South America, Europe, and Africa.
The Moon rises about five p.m. EST and the eclipse will be in penumbra. Totality begins at 8:06 p.m. EST. and ends at 8:31 PM EST and the partial eclipse ends at 10:45 PM. EST" To obtain the time and location for your area, use the Lunar Computer. It looks like the weather will cooperate and we will have clear skies for most of the country. Articles can be found at NASA, Space.com, Sky and Telescope, and Starry Skies."
CET times (Score:5, Informative)
The Moon will be in penumbra at 11 PM CET. Totality begins at 2:06 a.m. CET on the 9th of November, and ends at 2:31 a.m. CET, and the partial eclipse ends at 14:45 a.m. CET.
Substract one hour for GMT.
Don't forget the meteor shower (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Amyone Have (Score:5, Informative)
For us Canadians out there! (Score:3, Informative)
EXN article/eclipse times for Canada http://www.exn.ca/Stories/2003/10/31/51.asp?t=dp
Slight Correction... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Don't forget the meteor shower (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Europe (Score:1, Informative)
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/LunarEclipse.
For the rest of the world (Score:4, Informative)
The site provides detailed weather and sky charts for almost anywhere in the world. Cool, eh!!
Meteors (Score:5, Informative)
It's worth also pointing out that tonight we will be experiencing the Leonids meteor shower. This is one of the stronger showers of the year, and back in 1998 it produced around 200 meteors per hour. While its not possible to predict how many meteors there will be this year, the fact that the shower is combined with a lunar eclipse makes it rather special, IMHO. Interestingly enough, the same conincidence happened last year!
The math's not that difficult (Score:2, Informative)
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse happens simultaneously regardless of where you are. The only questions are A) what time zone you're in (a little simple arithmetic), and B) whether you're in the right place to have an unobstructed view of the moon.
Re:What is this? (Score:2, Informative)
2) All of the rest of America will see it, but only while the moon is rising [nasa.gov], Australia's actually the only continent that won't see it.
3) Slashdot serves the entire planet. It is relevant to more people than it isn't.
Better Calculator (Score:4, Informative)
Re:good star map software? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Lunar Eclipse (Score:3, Informative)
And location, location, location. I live in Colorado. High up in the mountains, you can go out on a night with a brilliant full moon and still see the Milky Way quite clearly, because there's no skyglow to speak of. Down in Denver, all the conditions can be perfect -- new moon, clear night, still air, etc. -- and you're still not going to see that much because the city lights drown most of it out. From what I remember of Cornwall, I'll bet there are lots of good viewing spots
Re:good star map software? (Score:2, Informative)
Don't know Stary Night Pro try Knoppix. (Score:3, Informative)
If all of this leaves you and your Mac cold, I'm sorry. Debian does have a Mac port, but I'm unfamiliar with it. Knoppix is on the way for you [knoppix.net] if it's not already here.
Free software for everyone!
Danjon Scale (Score:4, Informative)
L = 0 Very dark eclipse. Moon almost invisible, especially at mid-totality.
L = 1 Dark Eclipse, gray or brownish in coloration. Details distinguishable only with difficulty.
L = 2 Deep red or rust-colored eclipse. Very dark central shadow, while outer edge of umbra is relatively bright.
L = 3 Brick-red eclipse. Umbral shadow usually has a bright or yellow rim.
L = 4 Very bright copper-red or orange eclipse. Umbral shadow has a bluish, very bright rim.
The data is collected by Sky & Telescope and eventually NASA. For lack of another address, (astronomy AT valivingmuseum.org) is collecting data. Along with your rating on the Danjon scale, please include the following:
-Time of Viewing & time zone
-Sky Conditions: (e.g. clear, thin clouds, partly cloudy, etc.)
-General Location
Astronomy Picture of the Day (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Meteors (Score:4, Informative)
It's the Taurid meteor shower.