...Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight...
Lunar Eclipse Wednesday Night -
Beginning 743 PM
Ending 1109 PM
Mid-Eclipse 926 PM
A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from South America and most of North America (on Feb. 20) as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia (on Feb. 21). During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon’s disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray.
An eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the Moon passes through some portion of Earth’s shadow. The shadow is actually composed of two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. The outer shadow or penumbra is a zone where Earth blocks some (but not all) of the Sun’s rays. In contrast, the inner shadow or umbra is a region where Earth blocks all direct sunlight from reaching the Moon.
For more information on the Eclipse go to the NASA Eclipse Homepage
Sky Cover Forecast for Wednesday NightA cold front will be pushing into the Ozarks region Wednesday night which will make viewing the total lunar eclipse difficult. High level clouds will begin to overspread the area Wednesday afternoon with low level stratus clouds moving in near the eclipse beginning. Those in the eastern Ozarks and farther east would have the best chance of viewing the Eclipse.
For more information on the weather conditions expected Wednesday night see our Graphical Forecast
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