Kelseyville >> A rare astronomical event occurs this Sunday when The Harvest Moon goes into total eclipse at 7:47 p.m. in Lake County. To celebrate this very special alignment of the moon earth and sun the Taylor Observatory will host visitors starting at 7:15 on Sunday. Taylor astronomers John Zimmerman and Eduardo Alatorre will present a special talk on the science of eclipses beginning promptly at 7:30. At the talk’s conclusion visitors can go outside to view what may be an inspiring appearance of the fully eclipsed moon rising over the high point of Mt. Konocti at a predicted time of 7:53 p.m. The views may well present an outstanding opportunity for those wishing to photograph the moon against a striking Lake County backdrop.
This Harvest Moon eclipse is the fourth and final event in a tetrad of lunar eclipses spaced exactly six lunar months apart. It is visible over all of North America.
Friends of the Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium is the sponsor for this event and there is no charge for admission. Visitors will have the opportunity to have their eclipse questions answered by Taylor astronomers. For example, can you explain why there’s not an eclipse every month of the year, and do you know what determines the length of the eclipse?
For information phone 415 209-3084, consult the website www.taylorobservatory.org or visit the Friends of Taylor Facebook page.
