On Wednesday, February 20, during school vacation this Academic Advocate reporter watched the lunar eclipse. Many that had the opportunity to observe it thought it was awesome to watch. It started at about 9:30 p.m. and a total lunar eclipse was visible at 10:01 p.m. It lasted till 10:21 p.m. Some people may ask, what is a lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse occurs whenever the Moon passes through some portion of the Earth’s shadow. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly or very closely with the Earth in the middle.

The Moon is always full the night of a lunar eclipse. The type and length of an eclipse depends upon the Moon’s location causing the moon to turn a bright orange for a few minutes. The lunar eclipse lasted a total 51 minutes. During the lunar eclipse both Saturn and the bright star Regulus were visible on either side of the moon.

The total lunar eclipse was the last to occur until December of 2010. Last year there were two lunar eclipses, but they were only partially visible in our time zone. This lunar eclipse was fully visible on a very clear, but cold night.

A solar eclipse is occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. To view the eclipse directly, you must wear protective eye ware. A lunar eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye. In August of this year there is going to be a total solar eclipse and a partial lunar eclipse.