A Total Eclipse of the Moon

On Monday night, at 11:41 PM Pacific Standard Time on Monday a total eclipse of the moon will occur. The eclipse will last about three and a half hours. North America is supposed to be the best place to view it; I hope we can see it here in Las Vegas.

For the past several nights, we have had cloud cover and rain here in Las Vegas. If the clouds continue to hide the night sky, we will not be able to view the eclipse. I hope the clouds part long enough for us to view this eclipse. Because of volcanic eruptions around the world, this eclipse is supposed to be more spectacular then normal.

Usually the moon glows orange-yellow during an eclipse, but because of the dust from the volcanic eruptions the moon will be red or brown. I am looking forward to seeing this eclipse; if Las Vegas has cloud cover then the only way for me to see it is on television. Television cameras do a good job of showing an eclipse, but I would rather stand out in my front yard and watch the lunar eclipse.

For more information about the upcoming lunar eclipse see Early Christmas treat: 2010's total lunar eclipse by Alicia Chang Associated Press Science Writer.