Or maybe a long day tomorrow.
I haven't decided which.
You see, tonight is the final lunar eclipse of 2010, and I don't want to miss it. My FlickR friend Debbie sent me a link to a CNN article featuring this enticing image...
and this opening line...
"Skygazers hoping to catch the last lunar eclipse of 2010 on Tuesday morning best be ready to stay up late (or wake up very early) to watch the full moon as it goes through a range of dramatic color changes."
So now you know what I'll be doing tonight. How could I resist a full moon going through a range of dramatic color changes?
What a combination!
Here's a bit more from the article (click HERE to read the whole thing):
"During a lunar eclipse, the moon, the Earth, and the sun align so that the sun's rays are shielded from the moon. An eclipse of the moon can only take place if the moon is full, and only if the moon passes through some portion of Earth's shadow, which is composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other.
The start of the total eclipse is expected around 2:41 a.m, when the entire moon passes through the Earth's umbra, or inner shadow, which blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the moon.
The moon will take on a vibrant red color until 3:35 a.m., according to NASA.
Before and after the total eclipse, the moon will pass through the penumbra, or outer region of the Earth's shadow, where Earth blocks some of the sun's rays, but not all."
Did you read that? "... vibrant red color..."
So think of me standing out in the dark tonight with my camera, trying to capture a red full moon, while you snuggle under your covers.
Unless you're crazy like me.
Oh, and pray for a cloudless night. Or maybe a few wispy clouds.
But first, I've got to take advantage of Daniel being home - we're off to watch Russell Crowe's Robin Hood.
I'm thinking it will be a long night AND a long day. (Wish me good luck!)
Will there be red moonbeams....?
