Stargazers Rejoice: Bay Area Total Lunar Eclipse Wednesday

By Brian Bernbaum Mon., Feb. 18 2008 at 12:53 PM

Mark your calendars, stargazers: Wednesday evening (7:01 PM to be precise) the Bay Area will be treated to a total lunar eclipse, when the moon crawls through the earth's shadow. The celestial show is slated to end around 8:00 PM and scientists advise die-hards to move inland for the best viewing because low coastal clouds could partially obscure the eclipse. Right now, cloudy skies and rain are in the forecast for Wednesday night, but if there's a clear view, it's going to be cool:

"All in one view you'll have the moon framed on one side by Saturn and on the other by the bright star Regulus," said Ben Burress, an astronomer at Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland.

Where to watch, after the jump:

Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science will have telescopes on hand to host stargazers, with Q&A, Tuesday from 6-9 PM.

Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore with also have telescopes and hot drinks to stave off the chill, from 7-9 PM.

The Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland is hosting an eclipse party with an eclipse hike and views from the observatory viewing deck from 5-8 PM.

(BCN via ABC7)

Image courtesy/NASA

-- Brian Bernbaum