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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... Our View: Highway 62 bypass — just get it done ... Cooking up some fun ... After six years, wilderness trail is open ... Looking Up: Catch a lunar eclipse on Oct. 8 Comment By Peter Becker More Content Now MailTribune.com By Peter Becker More Content Now Posted Oct. 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM By Peter Becker More Content Now Posted Oct. 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Early on Wednesday morning, Oct. 8, the bright full moon will undergo a total lunar eclipse. It should be well worth rising before dawn and taking a look in the western sky. The rising full moon is best known, while the greatest number of people are up and noticing the drama of the moon appearing low in the eastern sky after sunset. The moon then dominates the night, its brilliance casting its light on the landscape while hiding all but the brighter stars. All too few full moon-sets are enjoyed; this one will be extra special. During a lunar eclipse, we witness the dramatic darkening of the moon and sky. Lunar eclipses vary greatly from one to the other. They are typically shaded like a peach, although the hue may range from brick red to brown, with some brighter than others. The moonlit sky darkens as if there was no moon at all, and the whole host of the heavens appear. Although there is no need for optical aid to enjoy a lunar eclipse, binoculars will give a spectacular view. Lunar eclipses are also completely safe to view without special filters, unlike a solar eclipse. You are witnessing dynamics of the solar system in action. The round Earth casts a long, conical shadow deep into space. Every few years, at predictable times, the moon plunges through the shadow. You can see proof that our world is round by noticing the curved edge of the dark shadow on the face of the moon. The reddish glow is caused by the simultaneous sunrises and sunsets around the Earth; the reddened sunlight shines around the Earth and faintly illuminates the eclipsed moon. From the lunar surface you would see the Earth as a reddish fiery ring, encircling a black disc hiding the Sun. There is a fainter shadow called the penumbra which the moon passes through first; total eclipse is when it enters the dark umbra portion. From the Eastern Time Zone, the shading caused by the penumbra becomes visible around 4:45 a.m. Partial eclipse, as the moon enters the umbra, is at 5:15 a.m. Total eclipse begins at 6:25 a.m.; mid-eclipse is at 6:55 a.m. Total eclipse ends at 7:24 a.m. The moon will still be in eclipse as it sets in the east. The farther west you live, the more you will see of the eclipse, as the moon will be higher when the eclipse is progressing. Send a note to [email protected] about what you see; photographs are welcome. Keep looking up! By Peter Becker More Content Now MailTribune.com By Peter Becker More Content Now Posted Oct. 3, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501