A cool celestial phenomenon is about to occur. Is this a rare event, or is it commonplace? That depends where you live and the weather conditions at the time.
Partial lunar eclipses are not uncommon, but a total lunar eclipse comes around only once every two and a half years or so in the location that you call home. If you consider that the event could coincide with a cloudy night where you live, then the chance to experience one with any degree of frequency is remote. That’s why Kanab’s Stellar Vista Observatory (SVO) in collaboration with Nomad Cafe and RV Park, is inviting the public to witness this special occurrence.
The entire spectacle takes several hours. Here’s the date, time, and location: Thursday, March 13, from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., at Nomad Cafe and RV Park, 2150 US- 89, Kanab, UT. Hot drinks and interludes of ethereal space music performed live will create an extra special ambiance.
As the shadow of the Earth slowly diminishes the glaring brilliance of the full moon, the normally dazzling white orb is transformed by a soft, unearthly reddish glow. While the familiar moonlight fades away during the eclipse, glistening stars, planets and the Milky Way Galaxy grow remarkably prominent against the infinite blackness of space.
Although it’s naked-eye visible to anyone who may dart outside into the back yard, an eyepiece observation magnified by one of SVO’s powerful telescopes has the ability to truly feed the human spirit by delivering the feeling that you are actually transported into space and touching the sky!
Learning a bit about the geometry and physics behind this awesome alignment of our Earth, Moon and Sun ahead of time will significantly enhance your experience. The world’s premier space agency, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) tells the full story here: science.nasa.gov/moon/eclipses/. Click on the words, Here’s What You Need to Know, beneath “Total Lunar Eclipse, March 13-14, 2025.”
Stellar Vista Observatory (stellarvistaobservatory.org) provides opportunities for people to experience, appreciate and comprehend the beautiful starry skies of southern Utah. Be sure to dress warmly, and we hope to see you there!
