Earlier this year, the public was treated to spectacular views of Mars at York’s arboretum observing facility. Now sky watchers of every age are invited to the facility on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 6 to 10pm to marvel at the lunar eclipse from the southeast rooftop of the Arboretum Parking Garage (formerly known as Parking Structure II).
Paul Delaney, York senior lecturer in physics and astronomy and master of Bethune College, will be on hand, with others, to explain what a lunar eclipse is, the stages of an eclipse and how it compares to other celestial phenomena.
What is a lunar eclipse?
Explains Delaney, "During a lunar eclipse, the moon moves into the shadow of the Earth. When observing a lunar eclipse from Earth, the moon changes shades from very bright to darker shades of red and orange.
"The colour change is caused from the scattering of blue light in Earth’s atmosphere as the planet blocks all direct light coming from the Sun. Because of the longer wavelength of red light it is able to reach the moon’s surface and reflects as we see it."
For further information, visit: www.astro.yorku.ca/observatory or call ext. 77773.