Space

Don't Miss: Feb. 20 Total Moon Eclipse!

The third total Moon eclipse of the year

By Gabriel Gache, Science News Editor

7th of February 2008, 15:18 GMT

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Image of a total Moon eclipse during last year

Pray for good weather on February 20 and you might just observe the third total lunar eclipse of the year. The phenomenon will be seen without experiencing any difficulties in the North and South American continents, as the Moon will occupy an excellent position in the sky relative to those areas. If you don't live in the American continents, don't worry about it too much; Europe, Africa and some parts of the Western Asia will also be able to view it in the early hours of the 21st of February, just before the Sun rises.

That being said, about half of the population of the Earth will be able to see how the

Moon is being engulfed by the shadow of the Earth. According to the astronomers, the total phase will begin around 10:01 p.m. EST, and will last about 51 minutes. The previous two total eclipses of the year have been visible only in certain areas of the North American continent, however if the weather gives us a clear sky, this particular eclipse should be viewable from start to finish, all across the American continents. Basically, it will be visible wherever the Moon is situated above the horizon in the respective time interval.

The Moon will appear in a coppery-red and orange hue, due to the fact that Earth's shadow is not totally dark, as light emitted from the Sun is scattered and diffused through the atmosphere and around Earth. The red and orange colors are given by light refracted around the edges of the Earth, giving our natural satellite a weird glowing ball appearance. At the same time, those of you looking for unique images of the night sky will also be able to observe the planet Saturn in the vicinity of the Moon, and one of the most brightest stars on the sky, the bluish Regulus star in the constellation of Leo. The configuration of the three objects close together will create a unique triangle during the total eclipse.

TAGS:

Moon | total eclipse | Saturn | Regulus

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