Saturday, August 25, 2007

The rise of crimson moon

LUNAR ECLIPSE

This event will occur during this coming monday or tuesday (27 or 28 August)



A total lunar eclipse has been visible this weekend from Europe, Africa, the Americas, and much of Asia.
The Moon regularly passes into the Earth's shadow and becomes dimmer. It happens about every six months or so.
A lunar eclipse has no great importance astronomically but can be enjoyed by many people without special equipment.




How do it happen?


Occurs when Moon passes into Earth's shadow
Penumbra: Region where Earth blocks some (but not all) Sun rays
Umbra: Zone where Earth blocks all direct sunlight - total eclipse




Some ancients called it "the time of the blood of the Great Mother's wisdom", linking the Moon's colour with menstruation.
This was a natural thing to do given the link between the length of the month and human fertility.




As i am reading this article about the rise of red moon, i just wonder...

Why should thoughtless, wasteful outdoor lighting spoil so many people's views of the heavens?

I love looking at the sky... somehow i felt that the clouds and stars can communicate with me :)

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