TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
Look To The Heavens For Love
by Jason Baird

Have you ever heard romantics ponder the possibility of looking longingly into the same sky as their distant lover?

They’ll have plenty to inspire their passionate hearts tonight.

Tonight, from 9:30 p.m. to midnight EST. a total lunar eclipse turns the moon red for the world to see, romantics and cynics alike. Perhaps it’s only coincidence it’s happening six days after Valentines Day.

While the exquisite sight is visible from any U.S. location with a clear sky, Central Michigan University is opening its Brooks Hall observatory in Mount Pleasant to students and the public.

Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

Tonight’s eclipse is a “total” eclipse because the moon will be completely covered by the Earth’s shadow. The whole process from full moon to partial eclipse, and on to full eclipse is visible to viewers.

The reason the moon becomes colored red is another inspirational fact.

The red color comes from the light of sunrises and sunsets around the globe passing through Earth’s atmosphere, CMU Physics Professor Glen Williams said.

If you haven’t heard enough sentimental qualities about tonight’s eclipse to get you to watch, there’s EVEN MORE.

In the near vicinity to the moon will be Saturn and the slightly dimmer, bluish colored star Regulus. The three will form a sort of celestial triangle for viewers to appreciate.

Tonight should be a fantastic marvel of nature for all to see, weather providing.

Local weather forecasters are calling for partly cloudy skies with scattered snow flurries.

The next total eclipse isn’t expected until late December 2010.