Sunday, September 27, 2015

Magnificent Moon

Tonight, very soon in fact, we get to witness something that hasn't happened since 1982!  For the first time in 33 years there will be a full, also known as a total, lunar eclipse during a Supermoon.  It won't happen again until 2033.  That's 18 years away!  Additionally this lunar eclipse takes place during a Harvest Moon and something known as a Blood Moon.  And, as if all that wasn't enough, this event marks the end of the tetrad.

For as long as there have been humans watching the stars, an eclipse of any kind has inspired both awe and fear.  In fact, in 1504 Columbus used an event such as tonight's to convince the natives of Jamaica to continue feeding him and his men.  This was on Columbus' 4th trip to the new world and a blight of shipworms had caused the loss of two of his ships.  The remaining two ships he beached off the coast of Jamaica.  Obviously he needed provisions for his men.  At first the natives were happy to help, but as time wore on and relations became strained the natives decided to quit helping the explorers.  Columbus had an almanac that predicted the total lunar eclipse during a Blood Moon, so Columbus told the natives that the gods were angry with them and with the rising of the moon they would see the wrath of the gods.  Of course the moon was red and when the moon disappeared during the eclipse he told the natives that the gods' wrath was very great because they refused to help him.  Obviously unaware of what was taking place, the natives were afraid and said they would help.  Columbus then told them that the gods were pleased and the moon would reappear.

Today, because this is a total lunar eclipse during a Super Moon and a Blood Moon and it marks the end of the tetrad, many are saying we are now entering the end times as foretold by the Bible.  Given today's current events, I believe it could be true.  However, the Bible also says no man knows the time or day.  So while this could certainly be a sign, I am not so sure it is going to herald the end times as we often think of them.  Could I be wrong?  Certainly.  The only thing I can say to this is:  Is your soul prepared for whatever may come?

While I'm sure those reading this know what all of this means, I'll give a quick run down of all the cool stuff mentioned above.  Some of this I didn't know!

Total Lunar Eclipse AKA Full Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth is between the full moon and the sun.  A lunar eclipse can only happen during a full moon.  The Earth's shadow covers the moon, as the sun, Earth and the moon are all in line causing the Earth to block the light from the sun.  Tonight the eclipse starts at 9:07pm EST.  The total eclipse begins at 10:11pm EST and lasts for 1 hour 12 minutes with the moon returning to completely normal, meaning partial phases have passed, at 12:27am EST.  The eclipse will be visible to North and South America, Europe, Africa, parts of western Asia and the eastern Pacific.  The eastern half of North America has the privilege of seeing every stage from beginning to the end of the partial phases.

Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse doesn't require special protective items in order to view it.  In fact, you don't even need binoculars or a telescope.  Everything can be seen with the naked eye.  Of course anything that enhances your vision will add to your enjoyment.

And just a little bit of trivia: 
     During the eclipse, the moon will be in front of the constellation Pisces.
     This is the last total lunar eclipse that will be visible anywhere on earth until 2018.

Supermoon

A Supermoon is a moon that looks bigger than normal.  Tonight the moon will look about 14% larger than normal.  (I have also read other sources that say the moon will appear only 7% larger.)  This happens because the moon's orbit around earth is not a perfect circle.  When the moon's orbit brings it closer to the Earth, the moon simply looks larger in the night sky.  There is no physical difference or change to the moon itself.  The moon is the same moon as always, it just looks a bit larger.  Furthermore, Supermoons are not uncommon.  Supermoons occur 4 to 6 times each year.

Now it is uncommon for a total lunar eclipse to occur with a Supermoon.  In fact, since 1900, this has only happened 5 times.  1910, 1928, 1946, 1982 and now 2015.  Given all that must occur to make this happen, I am not at all surprised this has happened only 5 times in recent-ish history.  Not only do the sun, moon and Earth need to align properly, but the moon's orbit must also draw it close to the Earth.  That's really asking for a lot in one night!

Blood Moon

This sounds a little scary, but science soon clears it up.  Tonight, the moon will appear red.  That red could be anywhere from a dusky rust color to, quite literally, blood red.  It all depends on the atmosphere.  During the total portion of the eclipse, the moon is going to appear to be a different color than you're used to seeing.  This is due to the Earth's atmosphere scattering blue light more strongly than red light.  It is the red light that reaches the lunar surface giving it the red tinge that causes so much superstition.  Additionally, green and violet light is also filtered out more by the Earth's atmosphere causing an abundance of the strong red light to be present.  The exact shade of red depends on the amount of extra particles in the atmosphere at the time of the eclipse.  For instance, had there been a recent volcanic eruption, the moon would appear to be a much darker shade of red.

Harvest Moon

Tonight's moon is also a Harvest Moon.  All this means is that this is the full moon closest to the autumn equinox.  The equinox this year was on the 23rd of September.

Tetrad

Now this is where some people start to talk about the end times and what not.  Like I said before, I am not dismissing it.  I simply am not educated enough on the subject to have an opinion that I would give as solid fact. 

A tetrad is 4 total lunar eclipses that take place at six month intervals.  Because this is the end of the tetrad combined with it being a Blood Moon and a Supermoon, people are saying this will bring about the apocalypse.  Maybe.  I don't know.  Again, all I can say is this:  Is your soul ready? 

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