Press Release - February 6, 2008
Central Florida Astronomical Society
PRESS RELEASE 20080201
- - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - - February 6th, 2008
Contact Person:
David Tidwell
Public Relations
Central Florida Astronomical Society.
407-389-6120
publicity@cfas.org
HEADLINE: February 20th, 8pm. Mark your Calendars. TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE JOINTLY HOSTED EVENT OFFERS VIEWS OF TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE WITH RESIDENT EXPERT HELP
The Central Florida Astronomical Society in conjunction with the Seminole Community College Planetarium will host a free public program about Earth's Moon, lunar phases and lunar eclipses. "We are delighted to jointly host this exciting event!" said Tony Urzi, President of the Central Florida Astronomical Society and Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador. "We are providing the general public with a short presentation to provide context, education and background and will have our Astronomy experts at hand to help the public view a total Lunar Eclipse, live and as it happens, and maybe even Mars or Saturn through telescopes"
The event begins at 8pm on Wednesday, February 20th at the Seminole Community College Planetarium.
Why isn't the Moon always in our night sky? What is the difference between waxing and waning? What is an eclipse of the Moon? What causes eclipses and why? How often do eclipses happen and when is the next eclipse of the Moon? Learn the answers to these questions and more in a presentation hosted jointly by the Central Florida Astronomical Society and Seminole Community College Planetarium.
Derek Demeter, of Seminole Community College said "Participants at the event can view the eclipse and Saturn through the Planetarium's large 12-inch telescope as well as other telescopes provided by the Central Florida Astronomical Society. The free telescope viewing, which will be on Seminole Community College Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, will begin at 8 p.m. The eclipse will reach its totality just after 10 p.m., and last only about a half hour"
Resident astronomy experts from both the College and Astronomical Society will also be on hand to answer any questions. The last total lunar eclipse visible from the entire continental United States was Aug. 28, 2007. Another total lunar eclipse won't be visible in Florida until Dec. 21, 2010.
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are completely safe to watch.
For more information call the Seminole Community College Planetarium at 407-708-2360 or contact publicity@cfas.org or telephone 407-389-6120
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Media Contact:
David Tidwell
Public Relations
Central Florida Astronomical Society.
407-389-6120
publicity@cfas.org