Howard Community College’s (HCC) Science Department and the Howard Astronomical League (HAL) is holding a free public lunar eclipse viewing.

WHEN :: February 20, 2008, from 8:30 – 11:00 p.m.

WHERE :: Upper level of the HCC Parking Garage.  (Directions)

MORE INFORMATION:

At 8:43 p.m. the Earth’s dark shadow begins to creep across the lunar surface when the Moon enters the umbra stage.  Once totality begins at 10:01 p.m., the Moon begins to take on a reddish-orange colored glow.  The sky becomes progressively darker as totality continues with the bluish-white star Regulus, brightest star in the constellation Leo, appearing just above the eclipsed Moon.  The golden colored ringed planet, Saturn, is just below the eclipsed Moon.  Lasting just 50 minutes, totality ends at 10:51 p.m. as the Moon leaves the Earth’s shadow during the next 78 minutes.  The Moon leaves the umbra (dark central core of the Earth’s shadow) at 12:09 a.m. and then reverts back to being just a full Moon.

Views of Saturn and its rings, Mars as well as major star clusters will be visible through telescopes during totality.  HCC astronomy faculty and HAL’s amateur astronomers will be available to point out major winter constellations and their bright stars.  They will also discuss what is occurring during the lunar eclipse.

Although this event can be observed with the naked eye, viewers are encouraged to bring their own binoculars and small telescopes.  Dress warmly and you might want to bring something warm to drink as you view this spectacular event.  Make your best effort to view this total lunar eclipse since the next one won’t be visible from this area until December 21, 2010.  For directions to HCC check out the website at: www.howardcc.edu  then click on About HCC at the top of the page, select Getting Around, and select Campus site and buildings maps.  For more information or in case of cloudy weather or precipitation check the HAL website http://www.howardastro.org/eclipse.htm  or call Professor Russ Poch at 410-772-4891.