Spring Break
First lunar eclipse of '08 to take place tonight
Taylor Short and Josh Armstrong
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: NEWS
The type and length of an eclipse depends on the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes. A node is the point where the orbit of the moon crosses the path of the sun. Tonight's eclipse is projected to last approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes, with the total eclipse lasting about 50 minutes.
"The last one I watched, I stepped outside my front door, looked to the south and there it was," said NT lecturer Cheryl Lawler.
Ron DiIulio, NT's astronomy labs director, offers an invitation for NT students, faculty, staff and their guests to visit the Urban Astronomy Center Wednesday night. He said attendees should bring a form of NT identification and check the forecast as the event is subject to cloudy weather.
"We will be offering the use of telescopes so people can come get a picture of the eclipse with their own camera," he said.
The Urban Astronomy Center is about five miles away from NT at 3250 Tom Cole Road near the Denton Municipal Airport. Because the Hudson Stargate Amphitheatre is under construction, the telescopes will be placed out front. Parking will be available along the highway.
The event will begin around 7:45 p.m., starting with the partial eclipse. This phase is slow and difficult to notice.
"The best viewing will begin at about 9 p.m. and last until 10 p.m.," DiIulio said.
"The last one I watched, I stepped outside my front door, looked to the south and there it was," said NT lecturer Cheryl Lawler.
Ron DiIulio, NT's astronomy labs director, offers an invitation for NT students, faculty, staff and their guests to visit the Urban Astronomy Center Wednesday night. He said attendees should bring a form of NT identification and check the forecast as the event is subject to cloudy weather.
"We will be offering the use of telescopes so people can come get a picture of the eclipse with their own camera," he said.
The Urban Astronomy Center is about five miles away from NT at 3250 Tom Cole Road near the Denton Municipal Airport. Because the Hudson Stargate Amphitheatre is under construction, the telescopes will be placed out front. Parking will be available along the highway.
The event will begin around 7:45 p.m., starting with the partial eclipse. This phase is slow and difficult to notice.
"The best viewing will begin at about 9 p.m. and last until 10 p.m.," DiIulio said.
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