Lunar Eclipse February 20-21, 2008

There will be a lunar eclipse on February 20/21, 2008. It will be visible throughout north and south America on the evening of February 20 and Europe and western Africa will witness the eclipse on the morning of February 21.

When - US EST

1. In the US: February 20, 2008
2. Begins: Moon enters darkest part of Earth's shadow at 8:43 p.m.
3. Duration: 78 minutes for moon to disappear
4. Total eclipse from 10:01 p.m. to 10:51 p.m.
5. Deepest part of the eclipse: 10:26 pm
6. 10:26pm-12:09am: moon will begin to reappear

When - US PST

1. In the US: February 20, 2008
2. Begins: Moon enters darkest part of Earth's shadow at 5:43 p.m.
3. Duration: 78 minutes for moon to disappear
4. Total eclipse from 7:01 p.m. to 7:51 p.m.
5. Deepest part of the eclipse: 7:26 pm
6. 7:26pm-9:09am: moon will begin to reappear

When - UK - GMT

1. In the UK: February 21, 2008 (early hours of the morning)
2. 0035am: Moon enters the lightest part of the Earth’s shadow
3. 1:42am: Moon enters dark core of the Earth’s shadow
4. 3:01am: Total eclipse begins (red color visible)
5. 3.26am: Mid-eclipse
6. 3.52am: 'Total'phase ends
7. 5:09am: Moon leaves the darkest part of the earth's shadow (umbra)
8. 6.17am: Eclipse ends

Fast Facts:

1. The moon may be rust-colored - sometimes referred to as a "Blood Moon"
2. Blood color caused by residual light deflected towards the moon by our atmosphere
3. This refracted light is in the red part of the spectrum
4. The only total eclipse of the Moon in 2008
5. Lunar eclipse: Sun, Earth and Moon directly aligned - Moon moves into the cone of shadow cast by the Earth
6. Last total lunar eclipse until 2010

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