Experts Expect an Eclipse
By Tracy Rolling

Wednesday, Feb. 20 is predicted to be unlike any other Wednesday of the year.

Scientists say a total eclipse of the moon will occur at 7:01 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. The eclipse will last approximately 50 minutes, with a partial eclipse that will be difficult to see because it occurs at twilight, just before moonrise.

The beginning of the partial eclipse is at 5:43 p.m.

A lunar eclipse can only occur during a full moon. Because the moon has no light of its own, it is illuminated by the reflection of sunlight while orbiting the Earth.

During an eclipse, the moon passes through a portion of Earth's shadow, creating two cone-shaped parts, one nested inside the other. Observers will witness firsthand with the unaided eye a dramatic change to the moon's color.

The moon is expected to transform from a bright white to a vibrant orange or red, and then convert back to white again.

The moon's extraordinary metamorphosis will be visible from five continents.

Although scientists cannot predict the exact color due to various element of the earth's atmosphere, they encourage students and budding astronomers to use a pair of binoculars and enjoy the spectacle.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also challenges students to test their observation skills by recording estimates of the moon's brightness every 10 minutes using the Danjon Scale, a scale that grades color intensity throughout an eclipse.

Mark this event on the calendar and set some reminder alarms because the next total lunar eclipse is not scheduled to occur until Dec. 21, 2010.

To learn more about the Feb. 20 lunar eclipse, go to http://sunearth.gsfc. nasa.gov/eclipse/eclipse.html.