STARRY NIGHTS
by Gary Boyle
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May 1, 2003
MAY'S LUNAR ECLIPSE
Astronomy is a hobby usually involving a telescope or at least binoculars. We use these instruments to enlarge the view of tiny objects in the night sky. Other than the nightly visual parade of stars, planets and the moon, there are a few celestial events seen throughout the year without an instrument.
Meteor showers (commonly called shooting or falling stars) can produce wonderful displays but city dwellers are hampered by the veil of light pollution and tall buildings. Sky glow produced by the moon render faint meteors invisible even from the countryside. Flowing curtains of northern lights shimmer in a palette of colour. This sky show can last from minutes to hours then vanish without warning. Amongst this short list, lunar eclipses are by far the most popular event.
Mark your calendar for the night of Thursday May 15, 2003. This special night is reserved for the moon. Over the course of some three hours and fifteen minutes most of North America will view the full moon slide through the earth’s large shadow. The moon is not a very large object. It could easily park itself between Ottawa and Vancouver. You can see there is a lot of shadow to pass through.
As earth's shadow crawls across the lunar face its terrain is transformed from a bright grey to that of asphalt. Reaching totality the scheme begins. As sunlight from the opposite side of the earth refracts through our atmosphere, shades of yellow, copper tone and even red are evident. On rare events such as December 9, 1992 the moon turned a very dark grey and was cloaked from large cities. Living in Montreal at the time I barely found the moon with binoculars – it simply vanished. If our atmosphere is littered with a large amount dust, ash and pollutants sunlight cannot pass and the coloured affect never takes place. The timetable below will guide you through the night.
10:02 p.m. Partial eclipse begins 11:13 p.m. Totality begins 11:40 p.m. Greatest eclipse 12:06 a.m. Totality ends 01:17 a.m. Partial eclipse ends
Occurring on average about twice a year and seen from different parts of the world, Ottawa last observed a total lunar eclipse on the bone chilling night of January 20/21, 2000. After a forty-one month absence we are long overdue. This event is always a welcomed change of pace to the same old sky. But fear not, should cloudy skies prevent us from seeing this one show, another eclipse will occur on Nov 9, 2003. Wow - trice in the same year.
Opposed to a solar eclipse which can be dangerous to observe unless proper filtration is used, a lunar eclipse is completely safe to view. To truly enjoy this spectacle, try to get away from city lights. Although not required, a telescope or pair of binoculars would enhance the view. An eclipse provides the telescope observer the rare opportunity of seeing faint stars around the moon. A scene otherwise invisible by the overpowering glare of reflected sunlight.
Since the sun moon and earth will still be lined up two weeks after the lunar eclipse, extreme northern portions of the earth will witness a partial solar eclipse on May 31, 2003. This eclipse take place on the other side of the earth and will not be visible from Ottawa.
Once a year the astronomy community around the world sets aside a special day to celebrate this wonderful hobby/science. This year International Astronomy Day will take place on Saturday May 10, 2003. Astronomy clubs and societies take the sky to the general public with displays, handouts, telescopes exhibits and much more.
Aside from inspecting the telescopes during the day and speaking to astronomers there will be safe solar observing and a giant star party at night (weather permitting). Last year’s attendance was estimated at 2,500 visitors. Come join us for all the festivities next to Chapters bookstore situated at Ogilvie and City Park Drive commencing at 10:00 a.m.
If you have ever thought of taking an Astronomy Course, now is your opportunity. In my fifteen hour course, you will learn the basics that every amateur astronomer should know. Topics include telescopes, planets, our moon, comets, astrophotography and much more. Come join this fascinating tour of the universe. This course available at Algonquin College under adult continuing education commencing Wednesday May 7, 2003. There is a typo in the date on the Algonquin web site.
Upcoming Events:
- Numerous International Space Station (ISS) passes before sunrise...
- May 1, 2003 - New moon at 8:15 a.m. Furthest from earth at 406,529 km.
- May 2, 2003 - Monthly meeting of the Ottawa Centre, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, 8:00 p.m. at the Canada Science & Technology Museum. Free admission.
- May 4, 2003 - Saturn south of moon.
- May 7, 2003 - Astronomy course at Algonquin College - six weeks Wednesday nights.
- May 9, 2003 - First quarter moon at 7:53 a.m.
- May 10, 2003 - International Astronomy Day presented by the Ottawa Valley Astronomy & Observers Group next to Chapters bookstore Ogilvie and City Park Drive (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.).
- May 15, 2003 - Total lunar eclipse from 10:02 p.m. to 1:17 a.m.
- May 16, 2003 - Full moon at 3:40 a.m.
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Gary Boyle is a freelance astronomy educator and writer. He teaches astronomy to adult and children as well as hosts many summertime ‘Star Nights’ at Provincial Parks and campgrounds.
Visit his web site at: www.wondersofastronomy.com
Send Questions & Comments about the Starry Nights to Gary Boyle
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