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Total eclipse of the moon sets mood for Halloween

A total eclipse of the moon will occur on Oct. 27. The dark shadow of the Earth will first touch the moon at 9:14 p.m.; totality will occur at 10:23 p.m. The moon will have been in the Earth's shadow for 1 hour and 22 minutes when it starts to emerge at 11:45 p.m. The dark shadow leaves at 12:54 a.m.

Often when the moon is in total eclipse, it turns a rich, deep red, caused by the sunlight passing through our atmosphere (acting as a lens), hitting the moon and reflecting back to us.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon are all in a straight line, casting the Earth's shadow upon the face of the moon. The entire event lasts several hours, so you can relax, sit back and observe with the unaided eye or binoculars.

Venus dominates the predawn sky in the east. The star Regulus is close to Venus the first five days of the month. They will be closest on Oct. 3 and 4, when binoculars will be useful to find the star because Venus is some 140 times brighter. Venus is found with the crescent moon on Oct. 10 and 11.

Jupiter emerges above the eastern horizon around Oct. 10 at dawn and will rise higher in the morning sky each day until it pairs nicely to the lower left of Venus on Halloween.

Saturn will rise in the east-northeast around midnight at the start of the month and a few hours earlier at the end of the month. It is best seen just before dawn high to the southeast among the stars of Gemini. The ringed planet, with its shadow spread across the rings, offers a stunning 3-D view through a telescope. The Cassini spacecraft will make a close approach to Saturn's largest moon, Titan, on Oct. 26. Titan is one of only two moons in the solar system to have an atmosphere.

SCIENCE CENTER OF PINELLAS COUNTY: The Science Center, 7701 22nd Ave. N in St. Petersburg, is offering planetarium shows at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and laser shows at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

On Oct. 27, the observatory will be open for the lunar eclipse from 9 p.m. to midnight. Members of the St. Petersburg Astronomy Club will be there to help with the planetarium and observatory.

The St. Petersburg Astronomy Club meets at 8 p.m. Oct. 22. Visit it at www.tampabayastronomy.com Learn how to build a telescope at the ongoing classes from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays in the optical laboratory in the annex building behind the main building. The Web site is www.telescopelab.com

Call 727 384-0027 or visit www.sciencecenterofpinellas.com

ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE: The college planetarium at the St. Petersburg campus, Fifth Avenue and 69th Street N, will offer free planetarium shows at 7 and 8:15 p.m. Fridays. The planetarium will set up telescopes for the lunar eclipse Oct. 27. Call (727) 341-4320 for additional details.

When skies are clear, telescopes will be set up after the shows. Call (727) 341-4320.

GULFPORT: Continue to enjoy SideWalk Astronomy when the skies are clear on the first Friday (Oct. 1) and third Saturday (Oct. 16) of the month; telescopes are set up at dusk at the corner of Beach Boulevard and 31st Avenue S for viewing.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY (MOSI): There will be a Lunar Eclipse Watch Family Fun Night from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. at MOSI on Oct. 27.

The planetarium is showing "Ring World" about Saturn and the "Tonight Show" about the night sky. The Challenger Learning Center continues with "Journey to Mars." A NASA astronaut lecture will be followed by a film in the IMAX theater at 7 p.m. Oct. 8.

The IMAX Dome Theater presents the new show, Vikings, through May 26.

The astronomy club offers free telescope viewing Oct. 23 at dusk, weather-permitting.

Call 813 987-6100 or visit www.mosi.org for more events.

SUNDAY: Regulus is closest to Venus in the east before sunrise. You will need binoculars to find the star.

MONDAY: Look an hour before sunrise to find the star Regulus still close to brilliant Venus in the east. First satellite launched in 1957 by USSR.

TUESDAY: Mercury in superior conjunction - on the other side of the sun. The moon is at apogee (greatest distance) at 251,237 miles.

WEDNESDAY: Last quarter moon.

THURSDAY: Saturn to the lower right of the moon in the predawn sky.

FRIDAY: NASA astronaut lecture followed by IMAX film at MOSI at 7 p.m.

OCT. 10-11: Venus, Regulus and the crescent moon are a trio in the east in the predawn sky.

OCT. 11: A thin crescent moon is to the lower left of Venus in the predawn sky. Notice Regulus, Venus, the moon and Jupiter line up in the east before dawn. Jupiter is near the horizon.

OCT. 12: One hour before sunrise Jupiter is below a thin crescent moon low in the east.

OCT. 13: New moon.

OCT. 22: Astronomy club meets at 8 p.m. in the Science Center of Pinellas County.

OCT. 26: Vikings starts at the IMAX Dome Theater at MOSI. Cassini makes its first close approach to Saturn's moon Titan.

OCT. 27: Lunar eclipse starts at 9:14 p.m.

OCT. 31: Venus and Jupiter form a brilliant duo in the east-southeast before dawn. Venus is to the upper right of Jupiter.

- Daryl L. Schrader is an astronomy and mathematics professor at St. Petersburg College and teaches astronomy at the University of South Florida.