After a full day of snow and cloud cover the sky cleared just in time to reveal a total lunar eclipse.
A lunar eclipse happens when the earth passes directly between the sun and moon, casting a shadow on the moon that is visible to the naked eye. When the moon is completely eclipsed by the earth, light from the sun passes through the earth's atmosphere and reflects off the moon, giving it a glow that can sometimes be deep shades of red, said Markus Boettcher, an associate professor in physics and astronomy.
It's very hard to predict (what color the glow will be) because that depends very much on the atmospheric conditions
he said.
Boettcher and Research Associate Professor Mangala Sharma brought telescopes to College Green last night for students to get a closer look at the eclipse. The telescopes ' set up near College Gate and the Class Gateway ' helped to draw in passersby.
Sharma estimated that at least 150 people showed up to use the telescopes and see the eclipse and Saturn, which also was visible last night.
This is pretty cool said freshman Royce Best, who enjoyed the faint red glow of the total eclipse. It's the first time I saw the rings of Saturn.
Senior Krystal LaFontaine also braved the 14-degree weather to take advantage of the rare opportunity.
This is my first (lunar eclipse) so it's a new experience LaFontaine said. New experiences that don't hurt you are good.
LaFontaine found out about the eclipse through her observational astronomy class and tried her best to capture a picture of the eclipse through the telescope using her cell phone.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration reports that people in Europe, Africa and the Americas ' weather permitting ' were able to view the eclipse last night, according to the NASA Web site. However, those who were experiencing daylight during the time of the eclipse were unable to catch a glimpse, Boettcher said.
The next total lunar eclipse visible in these regions is predicted to happen Dec. 21, 2010.
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The moon seen here above Athens last night is completely within the Earth's shadow, which causes the red coloration. The next complete lunar eclipse will not occur until 2010.
