From Deseret News archives:
Rain, mountains may eclipse moon's show
A lunar eclipse is when Earth's shadow covers part or all of the moon. As this is an eclipse of the moon, not the sun, viewing it with naked eyes is no more hazardous than looking at the moon any other time.
"It will rise eclipsed," said Patrick Wiggins, NASA solar system ambassador to Utah, "and if you live right up against a mountain, it may rise done."
The total eclipse of the moon will be visible throughout most of the world, including Utah. But several factors may thwart would-be viewers in the Beehive State.
For most of the United States except the East Coast, the moon will rise already partly eclipsed. Moonrise today will be at 5:13 p.m. for Salt Lake City.
The partial phase of the eclipse starts at 4:32 p.m. while totality begins at 6:06 p.m., says a chart prepared by NASA. Totality ends at 6:31 p.m. and the partial phase is over at 8:04 p.m.
When totality starts our only natural satellite will be low in the sky. Dwindling evening sunlight probably will wash out much of the reddish or orange color that a lunar eclipse otherwise can display. But as the event continues, the contrast should improve.
Topography will be a problem at many Utah locations, where mountains or tall buildings will block the view during much of the eclipse.
Also, nature may rain on the party. Or dump snow. The National Weather Service's Salt Lake office predicts residents will have a 30 percent chance of rain from the partly cloudy heavens tonight.
This is the second total lunar eclipse visible from Utah this year, the first happening in May. Another eclipse, promising somewhat better elevation, is destined to darken the moon in October 2004.
Still, with luck this might turn out to be a beautiful spectacle.
Lunar eclipse watches are being considered throughout the region. If bad weather intervenes, however, they probably will not be held. Some potential viewing sites are:
• Stansbury Park, Tooele County. Salt Lake Astronomical Society is planning a lunar eclipse viewing at its observatory from 5:30 p.m. until about 9 p.m. if weather allows.
A map showing the observatory's location is posted on the Internet at planet.state.ut.us/slas/maps/MAP013.JPG.
• Salt Lake City. Clark Planetarium staff members are sponsoring an eclipse viewing party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of 100 South and 400 West.
• Black Rock, Ariz. Members of the Southern Utah Astronomical Society will journey to Black Rock.
According to Wiggins, further information is available by contacting Harlan Johnson at harlanj@infowest.com.
E-mail: bau@desnews.com
