Posted on 05/15/2003 4:17:17 AM PDT by BushCountry
Tonight's Forecast: Red Moon By KURT LOFT kloft@tampatrib.com Published: May 15, 2003
TAMPA - A dramatic cosmic dance unfolds tonight when the Earth's shadow passes over the moon in the first total lunar eclipse of the millennium.
Beginning just after 9 p.m., the full moon will begin disappearing as a disk of darkness moves across its face. But as sunlight filters through the prism of Earth's atmosphere, the moon will begin taking on an eerie crimson glow.
``Because of the pollution in our atmosphere, it's likely the moon will turn a deep red,'' Tampa astronomer Joseph Carr said. ``This is what scared the pants off of people in ancient times.''
Red moons during a lunar eclipse are legend. Water vapor, pollen and lingering volcanic gases scatter and absorb the sun's blue spectral light as its red and yellow light passes through and strikes the moon. Today, industrial pollution enhances the effect, lending more color to the powder-white lunar surface.
For observers across the United States, the eclipse will be visible from start to finish. The action begins when the moon enters the outer portion of Earth's shadow, known as the penumbra, and then slowly moves into the darker umbra on its way to a total eclipse.
The best part is it happens slowly in the southeastern sky and can be enjoyed with the naked eye or binoculars.
``What's spectacular is it takes more than an hour for the Earth's shadow to cover the moon completely,'' Carr said. ``Just find a comfortable spot, put on your bug spray and watch the show.''
At least two Bay area science centers will offer eclipse parties with telescopes and astronomers on staff.
You're right, because it is misleading as the story goes on to say this phenomena scared the pants off of people in 'ancient times' meaning natural pollution has been around forever.
Did people wear pants during ancient times?
Ancient people were notorious polluters, don't you know.
I wonder if this statement is true from personal observation. I suppose he was around during an total lunar eclipse over 1000 years ago, jeez.
That is all.
For more on the eclipse, try www.drsky.com He has more links on the subject.
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/extra/TLE2003May15.html
I thought we weren't going to have any more of those for a long time!
What was interesting about this storm was that the lunar eclipse actually played a role in its destructive power. Atlantic storms like this are accompanied by a storm swell that will raise the level of water by several feet. This storm swell is higher than usual if the storm occurs during a full moon, due to the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on opposite sides of the earth. In the case of a lunar eclipse (which only occurs during a full moon), the storm swell is at its absolute peak, since the sun and moon are not only on opposite sides of the earth, but are exactly opposite each other and therefore generate much more pull against the earth than usual.
In 1992, there was a devastating combination of events that made the storm particularly lethal -- the unusually strong storm and total eclipse of the moon. During high tide the day of the storm, the water level was something like 14 feet above normal in New York harbor.
Your post #2..."Did people wear pants during ancient times?"
Yes, they did!
Ancient times going back to the time of Moses and the Hebrew Tabernacle in the desert...The Tent Of Meeting/The Miskan.
The Lord G-D commanded Moses to instruct the Kohenim: The High Priest Aaron and the Levites who served in The Tabernacle along with those who served under them to wear special undergarments.
Read: Leviticus 16:4, NIV Study Bible...
"He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on".
The Israel Museum in Jerusalem has done a great job in replicating most of the Priestly garments, they were on display showing all of the garments including the "sacred undergarments".
The Temple Mount Faithful organization also has a very beautiful display of these garments in Jerusalem.
BTW, I don't consider a reference to pollution as a "dig" at anyone. LOL Pollution is real. ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.