NOTE TO READERS:THERE ARE EXPANDED POSTS ON THIS EVENT ON THIS BLOG FOR MARCH 2ND. THESE MAY HELP YOU JUDGE YOUR VIEWING TIMES BETTER!!!!
MOLLY :IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON THE ECLIPSE OF FABRUARY 20/2008 PLEASE SEE OUR ARCHIVES FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY OF 2008. !!!!!

LUNAR ECLIPSE MARCH 3RD:
There will be a total Lunar eclipse soon, on March 3rd. the eclipse will, unfortunately, be optimally visible only in Europe, Africa and the eastern part of the North American continent. Totality will arrive at 6:20 PM EST (later if you live in Europe). Here in Winnipeg moonrise will occur at the same time as sunset ie 6:20 PM. Moonset will be at 7:09 AM. This means that totality will occur at 5:20 PM, long before the Moon rises. Some of the effects will still be visible here, and Molly hopes to be out watching, weather permitting. Other people further to the west, in the Mountain and Pacific time zones will see even less of this eclipse than we will here in Winnipeg. The next eclipse, due to occur on August 27th is more promising as its time of totality will coincide with a visible Moon here in the west. People on the eastern seaboard will get the best view of the March 3rd eclipse as it will occur when the Moon is near the horizon. People in Europe and Africa will see the event when the Moon is already well above the horizon.
Here's a couple of lunar factoids for those interested. The first is the answer to the question, "Why does the Moon appear larger when it is near the horizon ?". Actually the Sun does too, and the answer is the same. It's not a "magnifying effect" of the atmosphere but rather the optical illusion, known as the Ponzo Illusion. The brain interprets things perceived on the horizon to be further away than things perceived directly overhead. This means that they "must" be bigger than they actually are. The reality can be tested by using a circular object and moving it back and forth until it totally covers the disc of the Moon. You will find that the distance at which this object eclipses the lunar disc is exactly the same no matter where the Moon is in the sky.
Also, I've found an interesting beginner's guide to the Moon that has links to more advanced material. it's at the Stargazer's Guide to the Moon site. Also, if you want to go beyond baby steps in Moon observations check out Ken Murphy's 'Lunar Library' at the 'Out of the Cradle' site, a site devoted to things astronomical and planetary. The title of the site refers to the Tsiolkovsky quote that, "the Earth is the cradle of humanity, but mankind cannot stay in the cradle forever".