Josh:
Christy:
Joe:
Jason:
Autumn:
Blain:
Real Science

August 6th Lunar Eclipse

Christy
Wednesday
12:22 pm

There’s a penumbra lunar eclipse tomorrow night.  What’s “penumbra” you say?  Well, to be honest I don’t remember as much from my college astronomy class as I would like, so I did a little research. (see figure below)  Basically it means that the moon will enter the earth’s penumbra shadow.  This particular lunar eclipse will only slightly enter the penumbra shadow resulting in a partial eclipse of the southern hemisphere and will be fully visible from Africa, Europe, and South America.  Eastern North America will be able to see the eclipse at moonrise and Asia as it sets.

aug6lunareclipse2

Sadly, I live on the west coast, out of the visible range.  Though, I may go to the Griffith Observatory to see the full moon to make myself feel better.

aug6lunareclipse

Speaking of the Griffith Observatory, last week I noticed that the accoutraments on top of the building where you wait in line for the telescope look eerily like the egg pods in Aliens.

Observatory-006

Reader Comments

She blinded me with…

#1 
Written By Josh on August 5th, 2009 @ 2:34 pm

…science!

#2 
Written By Christy on August 5th, 2009 @ 6:23 pm

Man, I love eclipses. I want to see a full one.

#3 
Written By Tony on August 7th, 2009 @ 8:34 am

Add a comment — we talk back!

Want your own avatar? Set one up through Gravatar, and it will appear on any Wordpress-powered blog. They show up based on the address you enter below.

required, use real name
required, will not be published
optional, your blog address



Next Post: No, I’m not dead — just multi-tasking
Previous Post: 5 of the most hideous action figures in existence