… a little late for Valentine’s Day, but we’ve got a lunar eclipse to look forward to next Wednesday, Feb. 20.

Glenn Miller, telescope operator emeritus at Griffith Observatory, reports:

Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, Feb. 20th, there will be a TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE as the
full Moon is rising (shortly after sunset) in California. Here is a
short timeline of events:

5:29pm – Approximate time of moonrise (look slightly north of east).
5:41pm – Approximate time of sunset.
5:43pm – Moon enters the Earth’s dark shadow … the visible eclipse
begins!
7:01pm – Total eclipse begins (note the Moon’s color and brightness).
7:25pm – Middle of the eclipse (Moon will be at its darkest).
7:51pm – Total eclipse ends.
9:09pm – Moon leaves the Earth’s dark shadow … the eclipse ends.

Binoculars will be helpful, but not required. Try not to miss this
event, because the next total lunar eclipse in California will not
occur until December 20th, 2010.

Astronomically Yours,
—Glenn