The Americas, including the Caribbean, got the chance Wednesday night to view last total lunar eclipse until 2010. There were cameo appearances by Saturn and the bright star Regulus on either side of the veiled full moon.
Lunar eclipse viewed from Toronto, Canada (Matt Lee Photo)
The Associated Press reported that skywatchers viewing through a telescope had the added treat of seeing Saturn’s handsome rings.
Weather permitting, the total eclipse could be seen from North and South America. People in Europe and Africa were able to see it high in the sky before dawn on Thursday.
As the moonlight dimmed — it won’t go totally dark — Saturn and Regulus popped out to sandwich the moon. Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo.
Jack Horkheimer, host of the PBS show “Star Gazer,” called the event “the moon, the lord of the rings and heart of the lion eclipse.”
Wednesday’s event will be the last total lunar eclipse until December 20, 2010. Last year there were two, AP reported.
About Mark Lee
Mark Lee has been a long-time journalist writing, editing and producing in print, radio television and new media.