Chicago sky watchers are in for a disappointment tonight.
Cloudy weather will likely block views of a Celestial event that won't happen again for 84 years. At about 1:40 a.m., the full moon will disappear behind the Earth’s shadow for a total lunar eclipse on the night of the winter solstice.
Per NASA’s website:
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth lines up directly between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun’s rays and casting a shadow on the moon. As the moon moves deep and deeper into the Earth’s shadow, the moon will change color before your very eyes, turning from gray to an orange or a deep shade of red.
Despite the predicted cloudy weather, the Adler Planetarium plans to offer fun built around the event beginning at 11:00 p.m.
Astronomer, Larry Ciupik, describes the happening as the "perfect alignment when the Earth glides between the sun and the moon, blocking any sunlight from illuminating the moon's surface in the night sky."
Those interested in viewing the eclipse through telescopes, are welcome to come down to the lakefront facility. Admission is free and those wanting to bring their own telescopes can do so.
Local
Astronomers and staff at the planetarium, will be speaking about the different phases of tonight’s eclipse as well as historical eclipses of the past. The entire phenomenon will take about 3 hours and 28 minutes. Other attractions will be available to view for a $5 fee. Parking at the planetarium is $16.
If you can’t make it down to Adler Planetarium or the weather doesn’t cooperate with your well intended viewing from the comforts of home, you can always mark your calendar for the next Total Lunar Eclipse which will be visible April 15, 2014.
