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[Centaur]

During the late afternoon (Chicago time) of Saturday 2007 MAR 03 the Full Moon will enter the Earth’s shadow and become totally eclipsed. The maximum magnitude will be 1.227, meaning the lunar limb will be separated from the edge of the umbra (dark central shadow) by 0.227 lunar diameters. The eclipse will end later in the evening.

For observers in Chicagoland the Moon will rise while in total eclipse and past the maximum stage. At Chicago’s Adler Planetarium the Sun will set at 17:43 CST, and the Moon will rise at 17:39 while at azimuth 80.8° (9.2° north/left of due east.)

Descriptions and photos of the event will be welcome additions to this thread.

Below are my calculated event timings in Central Standard Time using the French Rule for shadow sizes. Unlike virtually all other sources, I also take into account the oblate shape of the Earth.

14:18 CST Penumbral Phase Begins (penumbra is light fringe shadow)
15:31 CST Partial Phase Begins (enters umbra)
16:45 CST Totality Begins (fully in umbra)
17:21 CST Maximum Eclipse
17:57 CST Totality Ends
19:11 CST Partial Phase Ends
20:23 CST Penumbral Phase Ends

I’ve created a graphic that demonstrates the stages of the event as observed from the Adler Planetarium. To see it, click:

www.curtrenz.com/astronomical.html

The graphic may be removed soon after the event occurs.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

It's quite iffy for a good showing here in Chicago. Clear sky clock shows a clearing edge to the cloud mass to our west, but don't know if it will arrive in time for the eclipse.

Presently I'm witnessing snow flurries and it's quite brisk out. I can imagine much colder temperatures by the Adler Planetarium where I will be in a scant few hours. If it's a bust, I have a dinner banquet to attend.

Hope for clear skies.

[Centaur]

Well I had a little surprise here in Arlington Heights after all. For a couple of minutes the Moon shone through a tiny gap in the clouds while it was still covered by 25% of the umbra. I grabbed my camera and ran out into the cold. But the Moon only provided a slight glow behind the clouds. At least there will be more opportunities in the future.

Prior to late 2010 there will be two more total lunar eclipses. They often come in groups of three over a period of less than a year. The next one will be on 2007 AUG 28 with maximum eclipse occurring at 05:37 CDT. The following one will be on 2008 FEB 20 with maximum eclipse occurring at 21:26 CST.

Remember, lunar eclipses only occur at the time of a Full Moon. Only observers experiencing nighttime can witness a lunar eclipse. Full Moons are separated by an average of 29.53 days, but not every Full Moon goes into eclipse. During the 50-year period beginning tomorrow, 7.0% of the Full Moons will become totally eclipsed in the umbra (dark shadow). 4.4% will be no better than partially eclipsed in the umbra. And 6.8% will enter the penumbra (fringe shadow) but not the umbra.

[Mahinamama]

I didnt have very much more luck here in Franklin park. A lot of clouds and only a few holes.

[stargazer]

Wonderful clear skies down here on the farm. Will post pics soon. They need some work. Very cold and with a fractured shoulder I got out there and caugt it. Sorry you guys didnt really see it. It was beautiful.
How much snow do you guys have. We only have less then 1/4 inch. Everyone doing good.

PS Joe any luck on the Pale Blue dot info seeing that you didnt reply to my PM.