[sac-forum] Data on Total Lunar Eclipse WEDNESDAY Feb. 20th

This major celestial event is not shown on the SAC calendar (so far...)

Note that some of the info sources (such as the RASC Observers Handbook) list 
the total lunar eclipse as occurring on Feb. 21st -- which is the Universal 
Time date (for Europe)!  It will occur early in the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 
20th here in AZ.  Moon rise is ca. 18:35 pm (6:35 pm for civilians), at about 
azimuth 80 degrees East.  The penumbral phase will already be in progress when 
the Moon rises here in Arizona.  Total phase begins for us about 8 pm.  The 
Moon will appear between the bright star Regulus (above, to the West of the 
Moon) and Saturn (slightly to the North and East, rising after the Moon).  
Check your eastern horizon for possible obstructions...

Here is another good web page with lots of info:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/TLE2008Feb21.html
Chart for MST is here:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2008Feb21/image/TLE2008Feb21-MST.GIF

Sky & Telescope left out the crater timing predictions this time (February 
issue), but a table of the timing predictions is given on the NASA pages noted 
above.

NB, EVAC is planning a "special event" for the public at the Riparian Water 
Park -- GRCO Observatory in Gilbert, located just East of the intersection of Greenfield 
and Guadelupe Roads -- South side, just past the Regional Library.

Gene Lucas
(17250)

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