Some of you may recall the total lunar eclipse on April 3 of this year, when the Moon rose in eclipse. This time the eclipse is better timed and at least those of us in the eastern half of the United States will get to see all of the eclipse. Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to view. This is because there is no danger in viewing the Full Moon and an eclipse dows not enhance the brightness of the Moon. As a further twist, lunar eclipses occur near a Full Moon, and this particular Full Moon is the Harvest Moon.
Farmers traditionally gather the harvest by the light of the Harvest Moon.
The eclipse tends to detract from that usual advantage for farmers. The Morehead Planetarium will be hosting a public viewing session of the total lunar eclipse on Thursday night, from 9 PM until midnight, if weather conditions permit. The observing session will be held in front of the Planetarium in the vicinity of the Sundial. The Planetarium will have staff on hand to answer questions and point out celestial sights. Though the Planetarium will have a few of its telescopes on hand, viewers are welcome to bring their own telescopes if they so desire.