Total Lunar Eclipse
I am sure some would have heard about this already but for those who haven't
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AS A sky show, it has kept Australian star-gazers waiting for seven years.
A spectacular total lunar eclipse will be visible across the country tomorrow at full moon, when the sun, Earth and moon are in perfect alignment.
The Earth casts a shadow across the moon and blocks out the sunlight, causing the moon to become dark, almost disappearing.
Although it is a total eclipse, the moon will not completely black out. Some sunlight will reach it, bent by the Earth's atmosphere.
If the atmosphere is dusty, the moon could appear blood-red, as the dust particles filter out some of the green, blue and violet rays in sunlight. Melbourne Planetarium astronomer Tanya Hill said the eclipse was "a lovely thing" to watch. "It's like a big bite being take out of the moon," she said.
The partial phase of the eclipse begins just before 7pm. During this time, the Earth's shadow is curved, one of the ancients' first clues the planet was spherical. The total lunar eclipse will be from 7.52pm to 9.22pm.
After this, the moon will slowly emerge from Earth's shadow.
The Astronomical Society of Victoria said it would be the best lunar eclipse in years, and encouraged adults and children to take advantage of the convenient time.
"This is a great chance for them to see the workings of the solar system for themselves," said vice-president Perry Vlahos.
He said the eclipse would also allow people to spot brilliant stars and gas clouds that would otherwise be drowned out by moonlight.
The eclipse can be seen with the naked eye, but binoculars or a telescope would be better. The last total lunar eclipse was in July 2000. The next one visible in Victoria will be in 2011.
■The Astronomical Society of Victoria is inviting the public to view the eclipse at the Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre in Richmond. About 20 telescopes will be set up on the top deck of the IKEA car park, with the public asked for a gold-coin donation to look through the telescopes.
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4 years will be too long to wait IMO! XD Should be nice hopefully the weather is still great like the last couple of days so we can sit outside having a beer looking at the stars!
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Last edited by radshuffle on Aug-27-2007 at 03:20
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