THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 26, 1996 TAG: 9609260336
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FORT LAUDERDALE SUN-SENTINEL
LENGTH: 68 lines
More than 2,000 years ago, Aristotle watched the moon slip into darkness, obscured by the Earth's shadow.
The curved shadow proved to Aristotle that the Earth was round - almost 18 centuries before Columbus made his first voyage to the New World.
The moon will pass into the Earth's shadow again tonight. While the total eclipse probably won't lead to any discoveries as profound as that made by the ancient Greeks, it is still one of the most spectacular celestial events visible without a telescope.
It's the last total lunar eclipse visible in North America until 2000.
(Hampton Roads moon watchers may have to chase a few clouds away to get a clear view.)
A lunar eclipse takes place when the moon passes into the Earth's shadow.
The three bodies come close to lining up every month, but most of the time the moon is above or below the Earth. So, instead of an eclipse, we see a full moon.
Don't expect the moon to disappear tonight. It's likely to take on a coppery or muddy red color, according to Jack Horkheimer, executive director of the Miami Space Transit Planetarium.
The eclipse will also feature a sideshow.
``The planet Saturn is going to be right next to the eclipsed moon,'' said Arnold Pearlstein, a Fort Lauderdale astronomer.
Saturn will be the only bright object near the moon. As the moon dims, Saturn will be prominent.
``Saturn's going to almost ignite in the sky,'' Pearlstein said.
The planet will be visible to the naked eye, but a telescope will be needed to view the planet's rings and as many as five moons.
The eclipse, which will start at 9:12 p.m. and end at 12:36 a.m., doesn't take any equipment to see. And unlike solar eclipses, which can damage the eye, it will be safe to watch. ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC
KRT
SOURCES: News reports, World Book
GRAPHIC
ECLIPSE WATCH
The lunar eclipse will become apparent tonight around 8:40 p.m.
and will completely cover the moon from 10:19 to 11:29 p.m. Here are
some places you can get a better view of the spectacle:
Pretlow Planetarium, off 45th Street on the Old Dominion
University campus, Norfolk. Telescopes and binoculars will be
available on the lawn. Observations begin at 9 p.m. and end at 11
p.m. Those planning to attend should call 683-4108 to check on
weather conditions.
Chesapeake Planetarium, off Cedar Road next to City Hall,
Chesapeake. Following Robert Hill's weekly 8 p.m. show, ``The Solar
System Tour,'' there will be telescopes available outside for
viewing at approximately 9 p.m. Reservations are required for the
show but not for the lunar eclipse viewing.
Virginia Living Museum Planetarium, off J. Clyde Morris
Boulevard, Newport News. A ``Total Luna-See Party'' begins at 7 p.m.
Telescopes will be available for viewing the lunar eclipse, Saturn
and other night-sky attractions. Observations end at 11 p.m.
Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach. There will be
telescopes set up along the lakeside near the Pungo Building.
Viewing will begin at 9 p.m. and last until the eclipse is over,
around 12:30 a.m. by CNB