2000 SPACE SCIENCE VIDEOTAPES |
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Tape Title | Record ID | Date Produced | TRT: |
Synopsis |
| RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE | G00-009A | 01/19/00 | 00:03:48 | Nature's first spectacular astronomical event of the new year, a total lunar eclipse, will occur on the evening of January 20. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align so that the Earth's shadow is cast onto the Moon. This stunning event will be North America's first total eclipse in more than three years. Weather permitting, observers will be able to view all stages of the eclipse. If there are clear skies, "totality" will be particularly dramatic in North America, where the Moon will be a fiery-red ball, seen in a crisp winter sky. The eclipse will also be visible from Central and South America, Hawaii, and most of Africa and Europe. |
TAPE CONTENTS: |
| ITEM (1): TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE MOON ANIMATION - A total eclipse of the Moon can only take place at Full Moon, and only if the entire Moon passes through the Earth's shadow. These events are quite striking for the vibrant range of colors the Moon can take on during totality.
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| ITEM (2): TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE EARTH/MOON ANIMATION -The beginning phase of the eclipse will begin shortly after 9:00 p.m. EST. The real action begins at 10:01 p.m. EST, when a partial eclipse starts to occur. Totality starts at 11:05 p.m. EST and ends at 12:22 a.m., the morning of January 21. After the total phase ends, it is followed by a second partial eclipse, which will end at approximately 1:25 a.m. EST, January 21.
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| ITEM (3): TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE SEQUENCE - During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth blocks all direct sunlight from the Moon. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align so that the Earth's shadow is cast onto the Moon. This sequence shows a previous Total Lunar Eclipse from November 29, 1993.
Photographs Courtesy of Fred Espenak
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| ITEM (4): "TOTALITY" STILL IMAGE - This beautiful still image was captured during the "Totality Phase" of the Total Lunar Eclipse on November 29, 1993. If the Earth had no atmosphere, then the Moon would be completely black during a total eclipse. Instead, the Moon can take on a range of colors from dark brown and red to bright orange and yellow. The exact appearance depends on how much dust and clouds are present in Earth's atmosphere.
Photograph Courtesy of Fred Espenak
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| ITEM (5): INTERVIEW EXCERPTS WITH DR. FRED ESPENAK, NASA ASTRONOMER
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