Sights in the sky this week

I was going to talk about satellite viewing this week when something else came up, or is about to come up. An eclipse of the Moon will occur on Saturday, March 3.

On this particular occasion, however, we, here in Southwest Nebraska won't receive the best view of this event. We will only be able to watch less than the last half of the eclipse as the Moon will rise locally with the eclipse already more than half over.

We will be watching as the Moon emerges from the umbra, or darkest part of the earth's shadow, into the penumbra or partial shadow of the Earth.

Watch for the Moon to rise in the east at about 5:39 p.m. Local time with half of the Moon's face in a darkened state. The eclipse will end 32 minutes later with the Moon entering the penumbra, or partial, much lighter shadow of the Earth. You will need to watch with a clear, flat, horizon to the east.

An eclipse occurs when the shadow of one astronomical body blocks the light of the Sun on another astronomical body. There are two types of eclipse. One is a lunar eclipse and the other is a solar eclipse.

A lunar eclipse only occurs when the Moon is full and on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun making it possible for the shadow of the Earth to cover the face of the Moon. It is only because of our location that we will be able to see just half of this eclipse. If we lived in Europe or Africa we would be able to see the eclipse in its entirety.

A solar eclipse is when the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun and happens only at New Moon.

In 2007 there are two solar and two lunar eclipses. On March 19 there will be a partial eclipse of the Sun visible from eastern Asia and northern Alaska. On September 11 another partial solar eclipse will be visible from all of South America, Antarctica and the South Atlantic.

The second lunar eclipse of the year will occur on Aug. 28, and we will be in a much better location for viewing. Here in North America we will be able to see almost all of the eclipse, however, we here in southwest Nebraska and northwest Kansas, will not see all of totality. But, it will be a lot more than the 32 minutes of the March 3rd eclipse. It will be a morning event and the Moon will set before the eclipse is over for us.

SKY WATCH: -- Thursday, March 1, the Moon, Saturn and Regulus will make a nice grouping in the south east in the evening. On March 2nd the Moon will be near Regulus. Venus and Saturn are still great objects for evening observation and Jupiter still holds sway in the morning. Don't forget the eclipse on March 3.

Next time, You ever see a satellite?