Make it Moon Week!
Soon after sunset on Saturday evening, March 3, skywatchers here in eastern North America can watch the rising full moon undergoing its first total eclipse in nearly 2 ½ years. Wikipedia says a lunar eclipse occurs whenever the moon passes through some portion of the Earth’s shadow. This can occur only when the Moon is full, and when the Sun, Earth and Moon are exactly on a line, or very closely so. The type and length of a lunar eclipse depends upon the Moon’s location relative to its orbital nodes.
Skyscrapers, Inc. (the local Astronomy Society) will set up at Tasca Soccer Field in North Scituate, adjacent to the McDonald’s restaurant on Route 6 where there is an unobstructed view of the horizon. The club will operate from 5-8pm. Moonrise time is 5:30. Club members will provide advice and a selection of telescopes. Afterwards, viewers are invited to the Seagrave Observatory, on Peep Toad Road, off Rte 116 and near Rte 6. The observatory will remain open until 10pm.
If the weather is favorable make every effort to observe this beautiful celestial show. The next one in August is less favorable for us in New England, for it occurs at moonset! Good luck, keep your eyes to the skies.- Skyscrapers, Inc.
Make it fun for kids. Eat moon shaped food or make a great Galactic Mobile from NASA Space Place. Find great ready-made toys at Fat Brain Toys and read with your kids about the moon.
- Where Does the Moon Go? by Sidney Rosen
- The Moon Seems to Change by Franklyn M. Branley (Author), Barbara & Ed Emberley (Illustrator)
- The Moon by Seymour Simon
- Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown (Author), Clement Hurd (Illustrator)
more info
Seagrave Observatory, North Scituate, RI
open every Saturday night for your viewing pleasure, weather permitting.
Ladd Observatory, Hope Street, Providence, RI
open to the public, free of charge, Tuesday evenings, from 7 pm to 9 pm, weather permitting.
Lunar Eclipses for Beginners
NASA
Space.com
Category: free / cheap, nature/science
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