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Rare, Total Lunar Eclipse Feb. 20

View eclipse at George Observatory, learn more in Planetarium show

HOUSTON—A rare total eclipse of the moon will occur on Wednesday, Feb. 20. Houstonians will be able to see the entire event, which will begin around 7:45 p.m. The George Observatory’s powerful telescopes will be available for viewing the eclipse from 7:30 – 10 p.m.

Lunar eclipses occur when the full moon moves into the Earth’s shadow, which blocks all sunlight from reaching the moon’s surface. Sharp-eyed observers will notice a slight dimming of the moon between 6:36 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. The moon moves into the darkest part of the earth’s shadow, the umbra, at 7:45 p.m., and will be totally eclipsed by 9:02 p.m. The moon will pass out of Earth’s shadow again by about 11:10 p.m.

 “We hope every Houstonian will take the opportunity to see this rare eclipse, either in their own backyard, or at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park, where they can take advantage of the powerful telescopes on hand to enhance the experience,” said Carolyn Sumners, Ed.D., vice president of astronomy and physics at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. “We are also recreating the eclipse as part of our Starry Night Express show in the Burke Baker Planetarium at the main museum. Be sure to see this awe-inspiring event – the next one won’t come around until 2010.”

The moon’s color during a total eclipse depends on the concentration of dust particles in Earth’s atmosphere. This effect is similar to the color changes evident during sunrises and sunsets, which vary in color from deep red to lighter orange depending on the clouds and dust in the atmosphere.

“During totality, the Earth blocks sunlight that would normally be shining directly on the moon. Around the edge of the Earth, however, are all of the places having sunrise or sunset – where the atmosphere is glowing red and orange,” said Sumners. “This light shines into the Earth’s shadow and lights the moon with a red hue that can vary from orange to deep brick red. The exact color of a total lunar eclipse is always a pleasant surprise.”

Photographing a lunar eclipse requires a tripod, and either a still camera with a telephoto lens or a video camera with a zoom lens. The eclipse will also be seen in most of North America, South America, Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia.

The George Observatory will be open for viewing the eclipse on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 7:30 – 10 p.m. Tickets to view the night sky through the Gueymard Telescope at the George Observatory are available for $3 per person. Use of the two smaller Observatory telescopes is $2 per person. Viewing through the volunteer telescopes on the Observatory’s observation deck is free.  The George Observatory is also open for stargazing every Saturday from 3 – 10 p.m.

The George Observatory is a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located in Brazos Bend State Park. To reach the park, take U.S. 59 South past Sugar Land, to the Crabb River Road exit.  Turn left and follow the brown signs to the park. For more information, call 281-242-3055 or visit www.georgeobservatory.org. 

Visitors to the Houston Museum of Natural Science can learn about lunar eclipses and see a recreation of this months’ event during Starry Night Express, playing in the Burke Baker Planetarium at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays and at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are $6 for adults; $5 for children (3 – 11), seniors (62+), and college students with a valid ID; $4 Museum members; $2.50 for school groups and $4.50 for groups of 20 or more. For tickets, or more information, visit www.hmns.org or call (713) 639-4629.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham IMAX® Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at One Hermann Circle Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.