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Lunar Eclipse Wednesday

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Started 4 years ago by enzo
Latest reply from mightymighty

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enzo

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"A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from South America and most of North America (on Feb. 20) as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia (on Feb. 21). During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon's disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray.
An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. The outer shadow or penumbra is a zone where Earth blocks some (but not all) of the Sun's rays. In contrast, the inner shadow or umbra is a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon."
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html

Posted 4 years ago #
jackal
Miskatonic U.
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Oh great.....Rahu's pissed again...
Prepare the sacrifices!
:wink:

Posted 4 years ago #
enzo

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From the Dispatch: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/science/stories/2008/02/19/sci_lunar_eclipse.ART_ART_02-19-08_B4_2M9BNJT.html?sid=101
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

FILE
A full moon glows orange as it passes through the Earth's shadow during a total lunar eclipse.

Graphic by Aaron Harden
Click to enlargeThe Earth, sun and moon are gearing up for a show that has captivated man since prehistoric time.
If -- and it's a big if in February -- the sky is clear Wednesday, central Ohio residents will be able to see a lunar eclipse beginning at 8:43 p.m. The show will continue until 12:09 a.m. Thursday.
Such an eclipse isn't rare: A full moon passes through Earth's shadow as many as three times a year.
But unlike rarer solar eclipses, this is one you can gaze at without burning your retinas.

Posted 4 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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enzo wrote
But unlike rarer solar eclipses, this is one you can gaze at without burning your retinas.
I'm not sure why, but this last sentence made me laugh and actually spit a little bit of coffee on my desk. I know it's true, so I'm not sure why I found it so funny.
Anyway, I am intrigued by this kind of thing, so I will likely be standing in my backyard like an idiot in the cold trying to see it tomorrow night.
It's not as if I have much else to do on a Wednesday.

Posted 4 years ago #
enzo

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It starts at 8:43pm and will continue past midnight....too bad it is not warmer and there is not a rooftop patio bar/restaurant we could have a viewing party!!

Posted 4 years ago #
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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osulew wrote It's not as if I have much else to do on a Wednesday.
Uhhhh, well that's not entirely true :)

Posted 4 years ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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somertimeoh wrote
osulew wrote It's not as if I have much else to do on a Wednesday.
Uhhhh, well that's not entirely true :)
Oh yes. Dinner. Email me the update on that.

Posted 4 years ago #
drew

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Couldn't resist posting this headline-
Get ready for the eclipse that saved Columbus
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080218195400.xhq81wua&show_article=1

Posted 4 years ago #
th0m
Beechwold
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don't forget that the US military will be shooting down their failed spy satellite later that night near Hawaii ... James Bond I'm sure will be there strapped to a table saying "Do you eschpect me to talk?"

Posted 4 years ago #
enzo

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I am seriously wondering why no one has opened a rooftop or penthouse level restaurant in downtown Columbus. My friend said there used to be a place long ago but it is no longer in business. Someone should call Cameron Mitchell and have him open a killer place on the top level of a builiding with a rooftop veranda/patio.

Posted 4 years ago #
SteinbergForCongress
Sugar Land, TX (For Now)
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enzo wrote I am seriously wondering why no one has opened a rooftop or penthouse level restaurant in downtown Columbus.
Most likely the cold... when I was in DC places who had rooftop level restaurants were closed in the Winter. Expensive real estate to have and not use. Hotel's sometimes do it... but they could just rent out the rooms that are higher up and make money too... so there is not that much incentive.

Posted 4 years ago #
mightymighty
North Side
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Egyptian mythology attributes an eclipse of the moon to Seth's having stolen the Moon Eye of Horus. Thoth, god of learning and mathematics, searched in the darkness and restored it to its place in the heavens, thus becoming a lunar deity himself.
Two weeks or so before a solar eclipse, the priests of Ra, the sun deity, would admonish the people of Egypt saying that they were sinners. People would then contribute to the temples and offer sacrifices in hopes of appeasing Ra, but of course, their devotion was not rewarded. During the unsettling moments of the eclipse, people would redouble their efforts and then see that the priests were true links to the will of Ra as generosity and obedience were rewarded with the re-emergence of light.
Eclipses were often associated with outbreaks of illness. There was a widespread fear, also, that the earth itself could get sick and die. In Babylon, the priest would bathe the King [source of fertility and all good] in a preparation of cedar oil and myrrh in hopes of preventing this greatest of catastrophes.
~ acknowledgements to M. Moreau [1997].
... my birthday is on the 20th. This is what I get, death and pestilence.
but at least San Francisco promises it'll be colorful, so that's something.
Weird, I had no idea.

Posted 4 years ago #
jackal
Miskatonic U.
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The Hindus have a similar belief ....maybe they're onto something?
Just stay home and lock the doors. :wink:
In Hindu mythology, Rahu is a snake that swallows the sun or the moon causing eclipses. He is depicted in art as a dragon with no body riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. Rahu is one of the navagrahas (nine planets) in Vedic astrology. The rahu kala is considered inauspicious.
According to legend, during the Samudra manthan, the asura Rahu drank some of the divine nectar. But before the nectar could pass his throat, Mohini (the female avatar of Vishnu) cut off his head. The head, however, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.
Astronomically, Rahu and Ketu denotes the two points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. The fact that Eclipses occur when Sun and Moon are at one of these points gives rise to the myth of the swallowing of the Sun.

Posted 4 years ago #
enzo

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I hope the sky clears...how awesome to see this eclipse with the beautiful snow......Chris should have a rooftop viewing party with bonfire!!!!! We can celebrate Mighty Mighty's Bday!!!!

Posted 4 years ago #
enzo

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SteinbergForCongress wrote
enzo wrote I am seriously wondering why no one has opened a rooftop or penthouse level restaurant in downtown Columbus.
Most likely the cold... when I was in DC places who had rooftop level restaurants were closed in the Winter. Expensive real estate to have and not use. Hotel's sometimes do it... but they could just rent out the rooms that are higher up and make money too... so there is not that much incentive.
There is incentive because it would be a one of a kind experience here in Cbus. The patio portion could be 3 season friendly like Smith & Wollensky at Easton with those thick plastic whatever they are made of covers.

Posted 4 years ago #
kessler
Georgian Heights
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enzo wrote I hope the sky clears...how awesome to see this eclipse with the beautiful snow......Chris should have a rooftop viewing party with bonfire!!!!! We can celebrate Mighty Mighty's Bday!!!!
I can see this and his insurance guy with a fire extinguisher in one hand and the other hand holding his heart saying i'm coming to join you Elizabeth! It's the big one. lol :shock:
But I agree that a rooftop restaurant is an excellent Idea. There was a restaurant open for a short time on the corner of 3rd and olentangy.

Posted 4 years ago #
UncommonSense
Hilliard
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th0m wrote don't forget that the US military will be shooting down their failed spy satellite later that night near Hawaii ... James Bond I'm sure will be there strapped to a table saying "Do you eschpect me to talk?"
No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die....

Posted 4 years ago #
greenhouse1014
Columbus
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why can't I get that Bonnie Tyler song out of my head every time I see this post...Total Eclipse of the Heart...

Posted 4 years ago #
jackal
Miskatonic U.
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greenhouse1014 wrote why can't I get that Bonnie Tyler song out of my head every time I see this post...Total Eclipse of the Heart...
HA! ...Whew.....I thought it was just me! :lol:

Posted 4 years ago #
enzo

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This is super exciting because the sky is clearing.....it is going to be BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I just wish I had a camera that would capture such sights. Chris said people can go to his place to watch and if you have never been, his rooftop is an awesome viewing spot!

Posted 4 years ago #