Re: Total Lunar Eclipse this Saturday

Theoretically, we may catch just the tail end of the *penumbral*
portion of the eclipse (though it won't be dark), so we're out of
luck on the west coast, Darrell. Wait until August 28th when we have
a good view of a late night total lunar eclipse (starts around 2:52 AM).

Speaking of the moon, though, it passed pretty close to the Pleiades
(roughly 2 degrees separation) on Saturday night and formed a pretty
striking pair in my 10x30 IS binoculars on the beach at Pajaro
Dunes. Also worth mentioned in the long-period red variable Mira
(Omicron Ceti) which is currently peaking. Last Saturday night it
was pretty comparable to Alpha Arietis (Hamal) which is mag 2.0, so
I'd put it at mag 2.0-2.2. This is an unusually bright maximum as
Mira typically peaks between mag 3-4. Catch it before it starts
slipping too low in the west.

Steve

On Mar 1, 2007, at 4:17 AM, snorkler@juno.com wrote:

> I thought it wasn't going to be visible from the west coast.
> Europeans
> wil see it all. East Coast North Americans will see it as you
> described, rising in full eclipse. But west coasters won't see the
> eclipse.
>
> Darrell
>
> -- "Alan Zaza" <alanzaza@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Just wanted to make sure everyone knows about the total lunar eclipse
> this Saturday, March 3rd. The moon will be rising saturday evening
> with the eclipse already in progress. Weather for saturday is to be
> mostly clear; please everyone hold off your purchase of a new scope
> until sunday.
>
> AZ
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