Lunar Eclipse tonight

Aside from throwing touchdowns, pumping iron, and shit like that, I find time to look towards the heavens. Always have, always will. Since I can remember. Anyho, lunar eclipse tonight, supposedly the last one until 2010, so check it out. Get your nice cameras out on your tripods and take some pics. Especially after totality when the moon turns into a glowing orblike rock.

Take a break from all the wars of LPSG and ponder yourself for a minute while observing the eclipse. I like to imagine what ancient peoples must have thought when they saw one, having no idea what the fuck was going on.

I used to enjoy walking my dog at night while looking at the stars.
My dog died and I haven't looked at the stars in a while.
Maybe I'll take the time to do that tonight.

Thanks Skull.

Great fucking thread Mason! I will mos def be looking out for it with my "tripod" at the ready! Thanx bro! Who knew that such a studly guy could be so contemplative and introspective? Just shows that you can never judge a book by it's cover!

Every time we've had a lunar eclipse I've never managed to get a decent view, it's always been thick with clouds. The spectacular meteor shower we were promised a while ago turned out to be a damp squib too, I watched for hours and saw zilch.

The ancient ones were more moved by a total eclipse of the sun, which is less frequent and whose impact can be felt during an overcast day. The moon is supposed to be hidden from the potential of clouds and snow on the east coast.

Notable times:

Partial begins: 8.43
Total begins: 10.01
Total ends: 10.51
Partial ends: 12.09

Above times are EST and first 3 are PM.

More info: NASA - Total Lunar Eclipse: February 20, 2008

In North America the total lunar eclipse occurs:

Newfoundland — 11:30 p.m. - 12:21 a.m.
Atlantic — 11:00 - 11:51 p.m.
Eastern — 10:00 - 10:51 p.m.
Central — 9:00 - 9:51 p.m.
Mountain — 8:00 - 8:51 p.m.
Pacific — 7:00 - 7:51 p.m.

The partial stages 1.25 hours prior and following are also interesting to observe. Saturn is supposed to be visible to the left of the moon.

I wonder when the next solar eclipse in North America is? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think we've had one in awhile.

You belong to any amateur groups in the area? I'm thinking of joining the Rockland group when I get enough money to spend on fun things. I've always loved astronomy. It was my first love. Thanks for reminding us.

I had a buddy in high school who was also into astronomy. He brought me to a star party once it was pretty cool; everyone brought their telescopes to an area high atop a mountain in NJ. One guy had an 11 foot tall one, he was the star of that party. No one even bothers messing with all the other telescopes people brought. We also managed to see a satellite re-entering Earth's atmosphere and burning up.

Also, SP, don't get fooled by all the meteor shower hype. Unless you live in the countryside your not going to see shit, unless its one of those once every 30 year storms. In 2003 (I think) there was a real big one you could see from more urban areas when I managed to see about 400 or so, but aside from that, you need to find the darkest place possible miles and miles and miles away from city lights.

It was when I was in college, some friends of mine got the key to the observatory and we went up and I took charge of the telescope for a few hours. I showed people Jupiter and its moons, as well as our moon. Then the crowd came for the shower and we all gathered on the roof deck. At least 100 of us, probably more like 200-300; students and teachers. Everyone laid back, smoked pot, and "oooed" and "ahhhed" for a few hours. Beautiful night.

Cool stuff, Skull Mason. I have to watch the PBS 'Company' during it, but get the idea I wouldn't be able to see it in the middle of Manhattan anyway even though we've got moderately clear skies right now, not clear enough though.

Cool - I'd heard about that too, I just hope the clouds break before then!!! It's grey as fuck here in PA...

You will absolutely be able to see a lunar eclipse from the city, as long as you can find the moon. Usually I go to a spot in my town that overlooks Manhattan during eclipses, its is a great view to see an amber colored orb floating above the skyline.

Meteor Shower Magic Comes To UK Skies |Sky News|UK News

It was this one and we were assured on the news that no matter where we were in Britain it'd be pretty spectacular. I gave up after an hour of seeing bugger all.

Like I said, its the meteor shower hype. Their idea of a great meteor shower is a few an hour...you have to spend all night out, relaxing etc. Near a city these numbers drop. On any night you can see a few shooting stars, a shower merely just means more of them. But depending where you are, and what shower it is, there isn't much of a difference.

You can't just go out and look, you have to take the time to relax outside laying down comfortable. You also need to give your eyes 10 minutes of darkness to adjust. You also need to look towards the radiant, of where the meteors will appear from in the sky, usually the constellation the shower's name bears. ie Perseids you look towards Perseus.

Everytime there is a meteor shower you will find articles like that.