(NOTE: I will link to images of Wednesday's eclipse in my next post.)For info on when to view Wednesday's lunar eclipse, see the following chart. (Note that times listed are for the Pacific Time Zone).
A lunar eclipse is not an event that requires a telescope or even binoculars to be appreciated—it can be observed just fine with bare eyes! However, if you have access to a pair of binoculars or a telescope, these can enhance the experience.
If you would like a telescopic view of the eclipse, I will have a telescope set up, possibly along with other amateur astronomers from the Orange County Astronomers. Tentatively I am planning to set up at Crucero Park in Mission Viejo. Everyone is welcome! Please note that the local weather forecast is currently calling for cloudy skies on Wednesday evening. In the event of clouds, observing will be canceled. UPDATES WILL BE POSTED HERE.
UPDATE, 4pm: The forecast calls for more clouds and occasional showers tonight. I'm pessimistic we'll be able to see anything from Orange County! : ( I will make a judgment call and post in about an hour.
FINAL UPDATE: 5:10pm: The satellite images from Weather.com show that there was a brief break in the clouds, but now even more clouds are rolling in off the Pacific. Therefore the observing session is canceled--I will not be at Crucero Park. : (
Remember, a lunar eclipse can be appreciated without the aid of telescopes or binoculars--so it's still worth poking your head outside periodically in the next few hours to see if the cloud cover might have diminished!
