WASHINGTON — NASA has planned various ways to help the public enjoy the total lunar eclipse on the night of Dec. 20 to 21.
Astronomers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will host a pair of live web chats to answer questions and help make the rare celestial experience one to remember. Marshall Center astronomer Rob Suggs will hold the first chat from 4 – 5 p.m. EST on Dec. 20 and discuss the best ways to view the eclipse. From 12 a.m. – 5 a.m., Marshall researcher Mitzi Adams will answer questions as the eclipse passes across the continental United States. A live video feed of the eclipse will be available on the chat site at: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/lunar_eclipse.html
Suggs also will be available for media interviews at Marshall from 2 – 3 p.m. Dec. 20. News media interested in attending the events should contact Janet Anderson at 256-544-0034 no later than 10 a.m. Monday.
For observers on the East Coast, the eclipse will last from 1:33 – 5:01 a.m. EST. The eclipse happens when the moon passes through the shadow of Earth, and the moon’s appearance changes from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and perhaps gray. To learn about the science behind eclipses, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/eclipse
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., has set up a lunar eclipse Flickr group for those who want to share or view photos of the eclipsed moon. NASA will choose one photographer to have his or her work featured as official JPL wallpaper on their website. To learn more, visit: http://www.flickr.com/groups/imthere/
JPL also is hosting the “I’m There: Lunar Eclipse” text campaign to connect people who are watching the eclipse in the same area and to provide them with tips on viewing the phenomenon. To learn more, visit: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/imthere/map.php
For more information on all NASA activities regarding the lunar eclipse, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/watchtheskies
