[The background above is part of an image by the Hubble Space Telescope of the Crescent Nebula.]

WHERE: AT EXPLORIT Science Center, 3141 5th Street, Davis.

Join us Saturday evening, November 8th at 5:00 p.m. when we will discuss and view (weather permitting) the second total eclipse of the moon in 2003. Totality begins at 5:06 pm, just as the moon is rising, and lasts 24 minutes. We will observe the moon going through all it’s phases in a short span as it slowly leaves the earth’s shadow.

Eclipses occur when the earth, moon, and sun line up in straight line while each is moving in its own orbit. When earth happens to be in the middle, we observe a lunar eclipse, and when the moon is in the middle we have a solar eclipse.

Lunar eclipses occur on or very close to the full moon phase. At this time the moon is on the opposite side of the earth from the sun. The moon is darkened as all (total eclipse) or some (partial eclipse) of the sun’s light is blocked by the earth. Because the earth is much bigger than the moon, its shadow cone encompasses the moon. Lunar eclipses are thus visible from the night half of the Earth.

Solar eclipses occur on or close to the new moon phase when the moon is between the earth and the sun. Even though the moon is much smaller than the sun, it appears the same size in the sky because of its close proximity to the earth. Because of this incredible co-incidence, the moon obscures the sun either completely (total eclipse), partly (partial eclipse), or nearly (annular or ring eclipse). As the shadow cone of the moon is relatively small, only a small area on the earth’s surface witnesses a solar eclipse.

Eclipses do not happen on every new and full moon. This is because the orbit of the moon is inclined by 5 degrees from the orbital (ecliptical) plane of the earth. Most of the time, the moon is either above or below this plane and hence the earth, moon, and sun do not line up. At the two points called nodes where the earth’s and the moon’s orbital planes intersect, we can get eclipses. Generally, in a year there are 2 solar eclipses and 2 lunar eclipses about 6 months apart.

Eclipses are spectacular events to see from the moment that the sun or moon starts to enter the shadow cone to when it leaves the shadow. Solar eclipses allow scientists to study the surface of the sun as most or all the sunlight is cut–off. During a lunar eclipse, the moon does not completely disappear. It usually appears oranges red because of light scattered by the earth’s atmosphere. Ancient Greeks deduced that the earth is a sphere from observing the round shape of the earth’s shadow on the moon.

Please bring telescopes so others can the view the Moon as it comes out of the earth’s shadow. There will also be fun activities for the young ‘astronomers’.


We had about 40 people at the Sept. meeting. It was really great to see so many people, both young and not as young, interested in astronomy in general and in Mars in particular. We got to see Mars when it was still pretty spectacular in the night sky. Thanks to everyone that brought their scopes!

WHAT’S UP FOR OCTOBER and NOVEMBER?

Venus, Mars, and Saturn will be visible in the night sky.

Jupiter will be visible in the early morning sky.

The Moon’s phases are as follows:
First Quarter – Oct. 2 & Oct. 31,
Full Moon – Oct. 10 & Nov. 8,
Last Quarter – Oct. 18 & Nov. 16, and
New Moon – Oct. 25 and Nov 23.

The annual Orionids meteor showers will peak around Oct. 20 and the annual Leonids will peak around Nov. 17^th.

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The Astronomy Club is for everyone - adults, children, knowledgeable or ignorant. Come to listen, look and learn, or to share your expertise or experience.