You will not need those goofy safety glasses to see tonight's lunar eclipse. The moon phenomenon is much easier on the eyes than its brother, the solar eclipse.
Scientists were once greatly intrigued by lunar eclipses. They helped the early astronomers in Egypt determine the precise size of the earth thanks to geometry and mathematic formulas.
Nowadays, the lunar eclipse is a spectator sport. Between 7:45 and 11 p.m., in this part of the world, you will be able to watch as we pass between the moon and sun, causing the moon to fall into an earthly shadow. Because sunlight bends around the earth, the moon will turn colors, giving terrestrial gazers a wonderful lunar light show.
Don't miss the event because it will be the last one until 2010.
The first solar eclipse I recall was during my college days while working weekends on a farm. My boss, also my uncle, grabbed a couple of welders' masks and we pulled them over our heads to watch the as the moon passed between us and the sun. No masks are necessary tonight. Maybe that's why lunar episodes are for lovers. It would be hard to steal a kiss with a welder's mask on.
