Hurry! Run outside and view the total lunar eclipse!
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The clear, crisp northeast Indiana skies this evening will guarantee a great view of the lunar eclipse.A total lunar eclipse is caused when the earth passes between the sun and moon, causing the sun’s rays to cast the earth’s shadow on the moon’s surface. The moon will not be totally darkened by the eclipse, however. Because the blue spectrum of the sun’s light will be blocked by the earth, the moon will take on a lovely shade of tangerine.
Around 8:30 p.m. the earth's shadow will be cast on the surface of the moon. The ideal time to see to the total eclipse, however, is 10 p.m. and will last for nearly an hour. If you miss this opportunity to view the total lunar eclipse, another one is not expected until 2010...and you'll only see it then if we're blessed with a sky as clear and crisp as the one we'll enjoy this evening.So, grab the kids, your camera or your telescope, and head outside for an interesting evening.