SPACE 21 February 2008 Americas, Europe, Africa to see first of two lunar eclipses of 2008

On Feb 21 the Moon will pass through the Earth's umbral shadow for the first of the two lunar eclipses of 2008. This first, a total eclipse, will be perfectly placed for observers in South America and Central America and the eastern two thirds of North America, Western Europe and Africa.

The second eclipse of 2008, on Aug 16, is only partial, but will be visible to Asia and Australia as well as the Americas, Europe and Africa.

The total phase promises a vibrant range of colors. Sunlight striking Earth is diffused and scattered by the atmosphere, so the Earth's shadow is not entirely dark. Enough of this light reaches the moon to give it a faint orange or reddish glow even when it's totally eclipsed. Nov/07