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By Edina A.T. Strum
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 26, 1996
Don't panic when the full moon disappears tonight.Tucson, along with the rest of North America, is being treated to a total lunar eclipse.
The full moon will rise at 6:12 p.m. and immediately appear to have a "bite" taken out of it. This will be the beginning of the partial phase of the eclipse.
For the next hour, the moon will continue to slip into the Earth's shadow and be totally eclipsed by 7:25 p.m. Totality will last for about one hour and then the moon will slowly reappear, becoming full again by 9:35 p.m.
For people who don't have two hours to watch the whole eclipse, the hour of totality provides the most spectacular view because the moon will completely disappear, leaving a glowing ring behind.
Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon.
"We are watching the shadow of the Earth. The moon is passing through the Earth's shadow," said David Levy of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.
During totality, the moon will have a glowing ring of color around it, ranging from dark brown to golden, Levy said.
The color comes from dust in the Earth's atmosphere that reflects in the sun's rays, according to Michael Terenzoni, Flandrau Science Center outreach coordinator.
In years when Earth's volcanic activity is low, the colors are deep reddish-brown. This coloration was last seen in 1991 after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, Terenzoni said.
This year, the eclipse should glow a reddish-orange or golden color because there has been relatively little volcanic activity this year, he said.
In addition to the eclipsed moon, sky-watchers will be able to see the planet Saturn, just two degrees south of the moon.
"The last time Saturn was this close to the eclipsed moon was Sept. 13, 1848," Terenzoni said.
Flandrau Science Center and the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association are providing free eclipse viewing tonight on the University of Arizona Mall from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the corner of North Cherry Avenue and East University Boulevard.
Telescopes and large binoculars will be available for an up-close view of the moon and Saturn.
Unlike solar eclipses, which require special viewing glasses to prevent eye damage, it is safe to look directly at lunar eclipses.
Special showings of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" laser show will begin at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Flandrau. Admission is $5.
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