Thomas Webber, the Heritage Planetarium director was all smiles telling Sevier County students during a visit to the Heritage High School Planetarium that this Wednesday evening they can witness a lunar eclipse.
The students had a chance to learn about the stars and then were treated to a laser light show during a field trip. Before leaving Webber talked about a lunar eclipse and how great it would be for everyone to see it. “It’s happening at a great time this year,” stated Webber. “Around 8:00 p.m. so kids will still be awake to see it.”
The eclipse will be a total lunar eclipse and occurs when the moon is in its full phase, 180 degrees from the sun. According to Webber, this puts the sun, earth, and the moon in a straight line and when the conditions are right, the moon will pass through the earth’s shadow in space and then you can witness the eclipse.
The eclipse should begin at 8:06 p.m. Wednesday evening with the total eclipse phase beginning at 10:20 p.m., and the total eclipse occurring at 11:04 p.m. The total eclipse ends at 11:45 p.m., and the partial eclipse would end by 12:54. The entire event should be over by 2:03 a.m.
“There are actually seven phases to the eclipse, three to start, three to end and then the middle,” stated Webber.
“This is the last time Tennessee will see a lunar eclipse in the next few years. The next lunar eclipse is in 2007 and we won’t see another solar eclipse until 2009. Also, It’s cool that the moon is going to turn a blood color just before Halloween. In June who would care but at Halloween time it makes it fun,” said Webber.
When the moon passes through just part of earth’s shadow, it is called a partial lunar eclipse. A total lunar eclipse, like the one coming up, happens when the whole of the moon enters earth’s shadow.
The Heritage Planetarium is located at 3741 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway between Maryville and Townsend. For more information call 865-984-8548 or visit their site at www.heritageplanetarium.org.

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