A total lunar eclipse occurs when a full moon passes through the earth's shadow during its orbit. When the sun, Earth and moon are perfectly aligned, the Earth blocks the sun's light. But the most spectacular view of the night is the moon's eerie red and orange glow -- caused by the sun's indirect light being filtered through Earth's atmosphere, trying to reach the moon.
Todd's blog, Catholic Sensibility, is regularly a fine source of beautiful astronomical images. See his post for a heads-up on a lunar eclipse coming this Wednesday night, February 20. Follow Todd's link to Sky and Telescope to determine the time of the eclipse in your part of the world. And more information here.
Well, I'd read about the eclipse in the major newspapers with a cursory glance....so, thank you, Concordpastor, for reminding me to set aside time tonight to sit quietly, in a lawn chair, bundled up and catch more than a glimpse of nature's beauty and theatre. I think this was, by no accident, a great lenten re"treat". The moon, sun, planet and stars are all part of our world no matter how you believe they arrived at their spots. I have become a strong proponent of the concept of "ECO-spirutuality" and I refer you to the "green sisters" accessible at the website www.presentationcenter.org
ReplyDeleteConnect with Sr. Pat Marie Mulpeters via thix website if you need specific/inspirational information about "eco-spirituality". This 80+ year old RC Nun found the funding and supervised the building of their award-winning "LEED" certified green building on an historic convent property in the midst of Silicon Valley!!! and/or look for the series "Spirit on the Mountain Lecture Series" detailed on the website or just call them and schedule a retreat- the cabins are extraordinary!!! Rosemary W. is your contact for retreat reservations and she is WONDERFUL!
Fr. Fleming, in looking for an orange moon with an ecclesiastical hue, I found this image and it proved a perfect match to grace the blog piece I wrote about my father's funeral mass yesterday. I appreciate your own post, and don't be scared by the Irish language in mine-- I use it weekly to practice my Gaeilge and follow it with a somewhat literal translation to convey a sense of the original thought-patterns with which I struggle. Pax et bonum...
ReplyDelete"Faoi iomlan gréine"