SUNDAY NOON WEATHER UPDATE:

Forecasts from most of the major weather sites show the forecast moving from rain to partly cloudy between 7 and 9pm.  That’s enough of a possibility for me to go ahead.  Full lunar eclipses are worth it!  If I can catch one good look at the moon between the clouds, I’ll be happy.  They are saying that volcanic ash from Tonga should make the moon extra blood-red tonight too.  Regardless of the lovely Luna, there are still incredible night views up at Buse.  I’ll wear wacky headgear along with my headlamp – who wants to come along!?!🥳  I will bring my astronomical binoculars and tripod for everyone to look through – you can see amazing details thru them.  I will also have laminated moon surface pics from the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, and some fun moon facts to share.

UPDATE:  Friday afternoon – due to the volatility of our weekend weather, I’m going to give the weather a chance to improve (😃👍🏻) and will make a final call on this event by noon on Sunday (given that it’s a night hike).  We want to really try to go – even if it’s just partly cloudy, we might get a look at the eclipse!  Check back here at noon on Sunday, and CROSS YOUR FINGERS and toes – I want to gooooo!!🥳

PLEASE NOTE:

This hike is a NIGHT HIKE and is subject to weather and attendance:  if conditions are NOT conducive for SEEING the lunar eclipse at all – no way, then we will cancel.  If there are fewer than 5 attendees, we will cancel.  Check here the at noon on Sunday for weather updates! Think positive!!

YOU MUST HAVE A HEADLAMP TO ATTEND THIS EVENT – it won’t be like other full moon hikes in which the moon casts a lot of light.  The moon will already be “dark” and reddish when it rises above the horizon…..so it’s going to be DARK outside.  ; )

We will meet up at the Valleyview Arena meeting spot at 7:30pm, and convoy up to Buse Hill, where we will don headlamps and hike up to the top to observe the total lunar eclipse and take in the stunning night-time views.  Usually referred to as a “Blood Moon”, this total lunar eclipse will also be the night of the Full Flower Moon, and we may also get to see the International Space Station fly right “over” the moon, as it will be making a pass overhead while we will be on site.  During this event, I’ll be explaining some of these lunar terms, the nature of eclipses, and will also bring along a pair of Astronomy Binoculars, possibly a telescope, for moon-gazing – there is nothing like seeing the full moon up close, especially during a total lunar eclipse!  Bring your cameras!

Due to the timing of the eclipse, this will be a late event – please plan appropriately. 

THE TIMING:  Moon-rise will be at approx 8:37-9:00, depending on the topography of the horizon, and the moon will already be in shadow when it does pop up.  We will be looking to the Southeast for the moon and want to be up at the top of Buse for moon-rise as the moon appears largest when close to the horizon.    Maximum is at 9:11pm, and the full-coverage eclipse ends at 9:53pm (you start to see the moon light back up again), with the ISS fly-by at approx 10:03.

We can all flash our headlights up at the ISS and say “Hello” to the astronauts on board right now:  Kayla, Raja, Thomas, Mattias, Oleg, Sergey, Denis, and newly arrived Kjell, Bob, Jessica, and Samantha!  Here they are below on arrival at the end of April (this is who we will be saying “hi” to):

Dress very very warmly as we will be at the top for awhile, standing/sitting, and it can be windy up there.  Maybe even pack a blanket to wrap up in and a camping chair to sit on!  Hot tea, snack, etc.  Once the moon begins to light back up again, we will head back down, and should be back at the car park area by 10:30 or so.