STEM Students Gather to View Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse

On Sunday, January 20, about 30 STEM students, faculty, and their families gathered on the blustery cold evening to catch a glimpse of the famously named "Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse."  Using the the high powered Orion SkyQuest XT8 telescope set up by Mr. Klakring, students took turns looking at Mars and other planets in the clear night sky. Throughout the night students also took turns viewing the developing eclipse and its effects on the night sky through special binoculars. 

 

NASA notes that on January 20, the only total lunar eclipse of 2019 was visible for its entirety in all of North and South America, giving it the "super" title.  The moon was closest to Earth in its orbit during this time, so "blood" is added to the name because of the reddish hue taken on by the moon.  The name "wolf" comes into the title by way of Native American tradition of associating wolves with the full moon in January. The next Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse won't be seen until May 26, 2021. ICS STEM studentscan't wait for a second viewing at that time! A chilly and entertaining evening was had by all.