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Sky is clear, eclipse is under way

The Clipper has moved offshore, and skies over Baltimore have cleared. So throw on a coat and head outside for a fine view of tonight's total lunar eclipse. It's the last one we'll see until Dec. 21, 2010. And we may get clouded out for that one.

So don't miss it. Take the kids out. They'll never forget it. Bring the binoculars. You can even watch from any east-facing window. The partial phase began at 8:43 p.m. or so, and the Earth's shadow is already creeping across the moon's disk. Totality will last from 10:00 p.m. until 10:52 p.m., and the event will be over by 12:09 a.m. For more information, check out the earlier posts and links.

When you come back in, leave a comment here and share the experience with everyone who figured it was snowing and went to bed without getting to see this celestial spectacular. Total eclipses of the moon, visible from start to finish under clear skies at a convenient hour are rare. Don't miss this one.!

Enjoy!

Comments

Just looked at the eclipse from my back patio near Patterson Park. Crystal clear, no clouds. It is very bright. I could make out a lot of details in my binoculars. My wife is inside nursing our newborn, hopefully she'll get a chance to see it before midnight.

It's very cold --16C degrees - here in Ottawa, Canada, remarkably clear and the moon is particularly brilliant, making it easy to see the earth's shadow making it's way across the lunar surface. There's no colour change yet - it should redden later. Hope you get an equally spectacular show in Baltimore!

About 1/4 now
Pretty cool at any age (50 here)

We are witnessing the eclipse at this moment and it is a beautiful sight.

Its me again we are in Wagon Mound NM....Clear sky and what a sight. I'm enjoy the view with my husband and son 11 years old.

Eclipse is total now. Crystal clear and 22 degrees on the WeatherDeck in Cockeysville. I can't remember more perfect seeing conditions for an eclipse, from start to finish. That's Saturn just to the lower left of the moon. The star above the moon is Regulus, in the constellation Leo.

WOW. We are in SC and there are absolutely no clouds. What a wonderful sight. It's totally obscured now and looks unreal. Are you seeing Saturn and Regulus? Both very bright, especially now that there is no light coming from the moon. Awesome!

There is a color change now, a beautiful red-orange. The sky here in New Mexico is clear with millions of stars. God Bless America..Peggy

Down here in North Carolina, the sky is breathtakingly clear. The moon almost seems to be glowing from within. In my 65 years, I don't believe I've ever seen an eclipse under such perfect conditions.

It looks awesome. I can't believe how red it is. Saturn is pretty cool too. When you look at it through binoculars you can just make out the rings. I think it is really neat how people all across the country are seeing this just like we are.

I saw a 2 thirds dark red, 1 third light red moon at 10:24p. Isn't it supposed to be all dark red?

FR: It's redder where it is deeper in the Earth's shadow, and less red nearer the shadow's edge.

Beautiful view here in Madison, WI. Living room faces East, viewed through picture window in a comfortable 70degrees, -1 degree out in a cold night and it will be colder. I won't be around to see the next one as I am in my twilight years. View through 7x50 binoculars.

Ohh man its soo pretty here, in St.Catharines, Canada. Theres a bit of clouds but its cool how it peeks over the clouds when they pass. you can see mars too! Above Orion;)

I am on it here in Maine,same for me here, outstanding views and so reddish....Kinda cold though...

Period of totality is over. From here, the moon begins to re-emerge from the Earth's shadow. Back to normal by 12:09 EST. Some show!

Very clear here in Medford, MA. We enjoyed the show for about an hour, bundled up and with a thermos of hot chocolate. Saturn and Regulus were both very easy to spot.

Beats TV hands down!

Did anyone see any turquoise?

I guess I missed the best part then...sigh
I thought "totality" (from between 10:01 and 10:52 meant dark red everywhere over the moon.

Yup, totality is over in Laurel. It's still a fantastic sight (no matter how many times it happens!).

wow esta lindo.... lo malo q' no lo logre ver muy bien cuz la nubes no me lo permitieron :(

Omg i went to the movies and when we came out the eclips already started but as the night went on the moon got more and more intresting becasue it turned a redish orange then brown but i think it look all so beautiful!!!!!!! so i hope i will be able to watch it again in 2010.....

We were in and out of clouds here on the Eastern Shore- Denton, but it was still quite impressive. Even my son's teenage friends commented on it as they arrived for a late evening round of video games.

Also near Patterson Park in Baltimore, I stepped into the cold periodically last night to watch the beautiful eclipse. What a sight!

Here's a shot of the eclipse from E. Baltimore St. just west of Patterson Park.

http://hallaurent.com/Feb08LunarEclipse/Eclipse.html

I saw it, but only at about 9:30, so it wasn't complete. However, my folks called me from NY at 10:00, saying that Saturn was visible to the left of the moon, and to the right, a star (can't remember which one). My mom, using binoculars, was convinced that she could see Saturn's rings. Is this possible?

FR: You know, I looked at Saturn with my (10x50) binocs last night, too, and I could have sworn I could see a dark band across the center of the planet's light. But I'm quite sure it's an artifact of the binoculars, or perhaps my eyes. The planet is just too far away. I've seen it many times with my ETX-90 telescope, and the planet and its rings, while quite apparent, are still quite tiny. I can't believe they could be resolved in ordinary binoculars. Any astronomers out there care to comment?

I walked the dog a couple of times, just so I could go out and watch it. It was such a treat to finally have clear skies, especially after the earlier weather.

Thank you for the feedback!

My son hopped out of bed last night, suddenly remembering that one of his teachers mentioned the eclipse. We went outside and he thought it was the best thing he ever saw in the sky.

We saw it. I could see the entire thing through the windows in my bedroom. That was Saturn to the right!? We thought it was a star. I wish I had gotten some binoculars like planned!

FR: Saturn was to the left and slightly below the moon.

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About the blogger
Frank Roylance is a reporter for The Baltimore Sun. He came to Baltimore from New Bedford, Mass. in 1980 to join the old Evening Sun. He moved to the morning Sun when the papers merged in 1993, and has spent most of his time since covering science, including astronomy and the weather. One of The Baltimore Sun's first online Web logs, the Weather Blog debuted in October 2004. In June 2006 Frank also began writing comments on local weather and stargazing for The Baltimore Sun's print Weather Page.
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