Red Moon, Lunar Eclipse in the Sky Tonight

Looking for something different to do tonight? Have you ever seen a RED moon? Tonight is the night.

According to NASA's official website: "A total eclipse of the Moon occurs during the night of Wednesday, February 20/21, 2008. The entire event is visible from South America and most of North America (on Feb. 20) as well as Western Europe, Africa, and western Asia (on Feb. 21). During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon's disk can take on a dramatically colorful appearance from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and (rarely) very dark gray."

At 8:43PM eastern time the partial eclipse begins, moving into the total eclipse at 10:01PM eastern time. At 10:51PM Eastern time it is all over. For enhanced viewing you can use a telescope or binoculars but neither piece of equipment is necessary. The website also has lunar eclipse information for begineers.

No matter what, no matter where you are, get out there with someone and experience this beautiful event. Who knows what will happen. If you remember the movie "Moonstruck" with Cher and Nicholas Cage, Cosmo's moon is what we will see tonight. One of the famous quotes from the movie says it all "La bella luna! The moon brings the woman to the man. Capice?"

This is a free event that you can enjoy just by stepping outside and looking to the western sky. If you don't have a special someone to huddle up with what about your children? It's a great time to bond and share with them. It also teaches them that the best things in life are free. It was a red moon when Columbus set sailso what are you waiting for? If nothing else you can have a Howl at the Moon Wine Tasting. In Iowa you can enjoy wine from Prairie Moon Vineyards, www.prairiemoonwinery.com Southerners know about Moon Shine so get out there an make your own. Are you a gambler? Take bets on what the color will be. The NASA website will help you with a chart. If I was on the space shuttle Atlantis I would be disappointed that I wasn't still up there to see this from the sky.

Another reason to be looking at the sky tonight is that the Navy will attempt to shoot down that wayward satellite. According to foxnews.com they will fire their missile at 10:30PM ET tonight. Probably not too much to actually see but you never know especially after a total eclipse of the moon.

We've come along way since the ancients believed that eclipses were spiritual and found them to be frightening, however my guess is that you might find your blood boiling while looking at that red moon. Let it take you away. Remember your Red Moon night!