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11/08/2003: "Phenomenon"

Dust off your cameras kiddies and check out the lunar eclipse this evening. Temperatures in the mid-30s, and cocktail hour timing promise to make this once a year phenomenon worth seeing. Several volcanic eruptions around the world in the last few months will make this eclipse more colorful than usual (dust in the atmosphere). Click more.. below for details taken from the Chicago Tribune.

Of all the celestial events this year, a full lunar eclipse Saturday night promises to be one of the easiest to view, offering observers a clear view of the moon as it passes through the Earth's shadow.

Watching the moon turn reddish-orange as it reaches full eclipse at 7:18 p.m. will require no telescope, special equipment or safety precautions.

The planetarium and the Chicago Park District will permit public viewing of the eclipse at the former Meigs Field terminal building on Northerly Island between 5 and 9 p.m. Astronomers will talk about the eclipse at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

The weather is expected to be clear, with temperatures in the mid-30s, according to the National Weather Service.

A lunar eclipse occurs as the moon enters the shadow of the Earth. Over about four hours, observers can watch the moon travel through the shadow. The Earth blocks most of the sun's rays, allowing only some of the light to reflect off the moon in sunset red.

Lunar eclipses usually happen about once a year. The moon's color varies depending on its alignment with the Earth and sun and on the dust in the Earth's atmosphere. Several volcanic eruptions occurred around the world over the last few months, so astronomers expect the dusty atmosphere to make the moon appear a darker shade of red than during some other eclipses.

Also, warm up after the event with a new "This Week's Skin."

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