Shy Moon Enters Seclusion Tonight from 6:05-7:30 PM

Residents of the eastern seaboard will have a perfect opportunity tonight to observe a total eclipse of the moon.

An eclipse occurs during a full moon when the sun, earth, and moon are in a straight line with the earth in the middle. The path of the sun's light shining on the moon is thus blocked, and the moon becomes temporarily invisible.

The moon will enter the outer light shadow, called the penumbra, today at 3:40 p.m. and will reach the dark shadow or umbra at 4:45 p.m. The moon will be totally eclipsed from 6:05 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and by 9:55 p.m. it will be out of the shadow area and again be completely visible.