Total Lunar Eclipse Blocked By Clouds
By Emily CanisStaff Writer
February 21, 2008
If you missed the total lunar eclipse last night, as many did due to cloud cover, you won’t get another chance to see another one until 2010.
“I thought it was going to be really exciting, but I couldn’t see anything because of the clouds,” said Diana Brown, sophomore engineering major.
Many students were anticipating the eclipse; a large facebook group formed last week informing students of it. Blacksburg weather did not permit a good viewing of the eclipse. Many across the United States experienced similar difficulty due to rain, snow or other adverse weather conditions.
For the east coast, the peak time to see the eclipse was 10-10:20p.m. The Washington D.C. area saw the lunar eclipse fully, with a bright red moon shining through.
Saturn and the star Regulus also appeared. The eclipse covered all of North and South America. Europe and Africa could have seen it early this morning.
The total lunar eclipse had the moon in between both Saturn and Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. Those with telescopes and good weather would have been able to see the rings of Saturn as well.
A total lunar eclipse is when a full moon passes behind the sun and is blocked by the sun that regularly makes it so vibrant to us. The moon, however, was still visible during the eclipse because it passed through the Earth’s atmosphere and the sun reflected slightly upon it.
Last year there were two total lunar eclipses but according to NASA the next one is not until Dec. 20, 2010.
Comments (5)
Couldn't see it? What? Did you try looking up?
Seriously, there was some cloud cover, but just by waiting a few minutes it was clear. I was outside at 11pm. My nieghbor and my wife saw it too.
Posted by Steve | February 21, 2008 11:00 AMYeah I too was able to see it at around 11pm, that's when the clouds started breaking up, but it didn't stay around for long. Here's hoping for better weather in December 2010!
Posted by Kevin C | February 21, 2008 11:32 AMcan u plz send me a picture of saturn and pluto
Posted by alec l | February 21, 2008 10:41 PMit was awesome
Posted by perry g | February 22, 2008 12:05 AMTrue. I think a lot of people gave up early and thought there was no chance of seeing anything. Though the peak period was blocked by clouds, around 11pm or so, I managed to see the end of the eclipse, when the clouds started dissipating.
Posted by Ellie | March 8, 2008 3:43 AM