Week of Oct. 5-11, 2014

Astronomers often tell this amusing tale.

An early European explorer had become stranded on an island inhabited by a relatively primitive tribe. The explorer — knowing that an eclipse of the moon was imminent — proclaimed to the chief that if he were not given food and supplies, he would display his powers by causing the moon to disappear that night.

The chief was unmoved and replied dryly: "If you're talking about the lunar eclipse, it was last night!"

There's actually some evidence that Christopher Columbus successfully pulled off such a stunt with the natives of the island of Jamaica. Knowing what we now know of Columbus, it wouldn't surprise me at all.

This week, sky watchers in Jamaica — and most of North America — will see another total lunar eclipse, but how it appears depends on where you live.

If weather is good at dusk on Tuesday, Oct. 7, you will see the full moon will rise normally over the eastern horizon at dusk, but after midnight it will undergo a major change.

The eclipse will begin at 1:15 a.m. PDT (4:15 a.m. PDT) on Wednesday morning, when the full moon slips silently into the light outer shadow of the Earth (the penumbra). Not for another half hour or so, however, will most of us be able to detect much difference in the moon's appearance.

Then, at about 2:14 a.m. PDT (5:14 a.m. EDT), the moon's eastern edge will enter the Earth's dark inner shadow (the umbra). For the next hour or so, the moon will dim in the advancing shadow until around 3:25 a.m. PDT (6:25 a.m. EDT) when the moon becomes completely engulfed.

During totality, the moon will most likely take on strange coppery hue and, for viewers under a clear, dark sky, will appear to hang eerily among the beautiful stars of autumn. This coppery color occurs because sunlight passing through our atmosphere is reddened and bent inward toward the darkened surface of the totally eclipsed moon.

The far East Coast of North America will watch as the nearly totally eclipsed moon sets in the west while the sun rises in the east. Those farther to the west will continue to watch as the eclipse progresses.

Totality lasts until 4:24 a.m. PDT (6:24 a.m. CDT), when the moon's eastern edge once again emerges into bright sunlight. Now, the umbral shadow continues to retreat westward across the lunar face, leaving it completely at 5:34 a.m. PDT (6:34 a.m. MDT) as the moon is setting lower in the western sky around sunrise.

Unlike an eclipse of the sun, it's perfectly safe to view a lunar eclipse without a protective filter. All you need is your eyes, but if you've got binoculars or a small telescope, you may find viewing through them to be even more enjoyable. You'll certainly be able to watch the sky show even from under bright city lights but, for a truly spectacular display, head out to dark rural skies.

To learn if anyone in your area might be hosting a free lunar-eclipse viewing party, check with your local planetarium, college or amateur astronomy club. And to learn more about lunar eclipses, visit www.mreclipse.com/MrEclipse.html#Moon.

Visit Dennis Mammana at www.dennismammana.com. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.