The Christmas eclipse

With thick, leaden clouds overpowering the skies of the County, I must confess my deep disappointment with the likelihood of unobservable total lunar eclipse this week. No curvature of blackness inexorably reversing the two weeks of prior lunar phasing. No breathtaking encounter with the “second nightfall.” No lovely copper ball hanging like a holiday ornament in the Gemini zone of western night. Not that such washouts are so unusual. In the life of a typical star watcher, I suppose they may even outnumber the clearest of conditions by a factor of 10:1.
    My first lunar eclipse experience dates to the fall of 1968, when I vaguely recall rousing myself from bed to see the ruddy lunar complexion albeit briefly under twilight conditions. And over the intervening years, I certainly can recall with equal measure the pleasure and wonder of soaking in reddened lunar light in 1975, 1982, 1989, 1992, 2003, 2004, 2005, and lastly in February, 2008.
My deeper concern and disappointment rests with the absence of a total lunar eclipse in the lives of our children here. The stunning extinguishing of full moonlight offers an everlasting impact upon the mind and heart of a child whose usual innocence remains open to the wonder of it all. In such a timeless awakening, a delay of four years until April, 2014 seems awfully long and barren. Children inescapably encounter the arts and commerce of world experience all too early. Surely Santa, could you offer us a little holiday cheer by parting the clouds with a frosty ho-ho-ho?!
For those whose disappointment matches or exceeds my own, I offer some consolation.
Contact a relative or friend who occupies American ground and sky in a clearer conditions. Inquire and investigate their own reactions to the eclipse. Perhaps plan an eclipse rendezvous for 2014 or consider the even more sublime and remarkable American total solar eclipses of 2017 and 2024. Or call the Science Center (207) 488-5451 and arrange with me for a personal lunar eclipse experience and expedition from the planetarium.
Although approximately 240,000 miles of space separates us from the ancient lunar surface, I still believe the eclipse phenomena saves its most special experience for us Earth dwellers who regain a sense of sanctity by considering the glorious mechanical ballet of our worlds of wonder in motion.
The real gift of a Christmas eclipse is rekindling our sense of wonder and humility towards our place in God’s universe. Let the externalities of our observations restore a sense of internal tranquility and trust in the Everlasting Arms of our Creator. That sense of security no worldly cloudy may obscure.
Happy holidays from Space Station Science Center.
Larry “Mr. B” Berz is an astronomy educator at the Francis Malcolm Science Center in Easton. He can be reached at 488-5451 or via e-mail at berz_fmsc@ainop.com.