The public is invited to MTSU Sunday (9/27/2015) night to view a special celestial event -- a total eclipse of the moon. It all begins at 7:30PM at the MTSU observatory near Wiser-Patten Science Hall. The event is free. The organized program will end at 10:30.
Some fear the "blood moon", but scientists are calling this astronomical phenomenon a rare "super blood moon" lunar eclipse, with the result being a full moon displaying a reddish hue.
An eclipse occurs when an astronomical object (in this case, the moon) is temporarily obscured, either by passing into the shadow of another body (the sun) or by having another body pass between it and the viewer.
MTSU Associate Professor Chuck Higgins notes, "It will be relaxed and fun if the weather cooperates."
Astronomers say that if you can't make it to a nearby observatory, just look up. If you can see the moon, you will enjoy this Sunday evening's "super blood moon eclipse."
The time sequence for the eclipse includes:
- 8:07 p.m. -- Partial eclipse begins.
- 9:11 -- Total eclipse begins.
- 9:47 -- Mid-eclipse.
- 10:23 -- Total eclipse ends.
- 11:27 -- Partial eclipse ends.
To find parking and the event location, a searchable campus map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParking2015-16.
