Saturday, December 18, 2010

Lunar Eclipse Party at the Adler Monday

Total Lunar Eclipse Party

Approved image to use for the Total Lunar Eclipse Party on December 21st, 2010. 

Date: December 20 – 21, 2010
Time: 11:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
Location: Adler Planetarium
Cost: Free




(Ahem: Yo Adler,  I'm ma let you finish but the first movement of William Herschel's Symphony in F Major would have been one of the best soundtracks of all time for this video.)


Celebrate the total lunar eclipse on the winter solstice at the Adler Planetarium’s free Total Lunar Eclipse Party. Adler educators and astronomers, along with telescope volunteers, will be on hand to facilitate telescope viewing of this rare occurrence in the night sky – weather permitting. Visitors can bring their own telescope or use ones provided by the Adler. The next total lunar eclipse visible in the Chicago area will occur on April 15, 2014.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse takes place when a full Moon passes through the shadow of the Earth. The Earth blocks light from the Sun and casts a shadow that obscures the entire Moon. A total lunar eclipse on the winter solstice is a rare occurrence. The next total lunar eclipse on December 21 (winter solstice) will be in 2094.
Winter Solstice Eclipse Schedule
  • 12:32 A.M. CST – Partial eclipse
  • 1:40 A.M. CST – Total eclipse begins
  • 2:17 A.M. CST – Point of the greatest eclipse

Special Presentation at the Adler Planetarium Time: 11:30 p.m.
"Caught in the Shadow of Earth" presented by Adler astronomer Larry Ciupik

During a lunar eclipse, the moon turns a reddish-orange color. Image Credit: NASA
During a lunar eclipse, the moon turns a reddish-orange color. Image Credit: NASA
What is a lunar eclipse? How and why do eclipses happen? When are the best times to view this total lunar eclipse? Find out how Moon phases work and hear fascinating highlights from past eclipses in a live presentation.
Please Note: Free coffee, tea, hot chocolate and light snacks will be provided to visitors beginning at 11:00 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.
Enjoy unlimited shows in the Definiti Theater for $5 (free for Adler members). Shows include Journey to the Stars and Night Sky Live. Please note, Adler exhibitions will be closed.
For more information about the total lunar eclipse or the Adler’s Total Lunar Eclipse Party, call (312) 922 7827.


Thursday, December 16, 2010

Best astronomy pics of 2010

Hubble's sick new picture of the Pillars of Creation is one, of course.

Go see the rest!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Hubble's Christmas Ornament

Supernova bubble "SNR 0509-67.5 (or SNR 0509 for short)", as the Hubblesite description reads - LOL - is 23 light-years across and is expanding at more than 11 million miles per hour (5,000 kilometers per second).


What a nice gift from the folks at Hubble.  
Stellar*, as usual.

*Ba dump bump.