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- Written by: Dr. Tony Phillips
That is, except during a lunar eclipse.
See for yourself on Tuesday, Dec. 21, the first day of northern winter, when the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. For 72 minutes of eerie totality, an amber light will play across the snows of North America, throwing landscapes into an unusual state of ruddy shadow.
The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST).
At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the “bite” to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST (11:41 pm PST) and lasts for 72 minutes.
If you're planning to dash out for only one quick look – it is December, after all – choose this moment: 03:17 am EST (17 minutes past midnight PST). That's when the Moon will be in deepest shadow, displaying the most fantastic shades of coppery red.
Why red?
A quick trip to the Moon provides the answer: Imagine yourself standing on a dusty lunar plain looking up at the sky.
Overhead hangs Earth, nightside down, completely hiding the sun behind it. The eclipse is under way.
You might expect Earth seen in this way to be utterly dark, but it's not. The rim of the planet is on fire!
As you scan your eye around Earth's circumference, you're seeing every sunrise and every sunset in the world, all of them, all at once. This incredible light beams into the heart of Earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the Moon into a great red orb.
Back on Earth, the shadowed Moon paints newly fallen snow with unfamiliar colors – not much luster, but lots of beauty.
This lunar eclipse falls on the date of the northern winter solstice.
How rare is that?
Total lunar eclipses in northern winter are fairly common. There have been three of them in the past 10 years alone.
A lunar eclipse smack-dab on the date of the solstice, however, is unusual.
Using NASA's 5,000 year catalog of lunar eclipses and JPL's HORIZONS ephemeris to match eclipses and solstices, author Dr. Tony Phillips had to go back to the year 1378 to find a similar “winter solstice lunar eclipse.”
Enjoy the show.
Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The forum will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, at the center, 5250 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa.
California Indian people are often asked whether they know their traditional language but rarely asked why their languages are not widely used in their contemporary communities.
Today, many California Indians are interested in learning their languages, yet they experience difficulty in finding speakers or teaching materials within their communities.
Historical events and federal and state policies have facilitated the separation of tribal communities and have had a negative impact on the transmission of cultural and linguistic information.
Today, the renaissance of California Indian languages must be pursued through a collective effort of tribal families, governments and organizations.
Despite political differences, diverse dialects and limited resources, active collaboration and cooperation are fundamental to the survival and continuity of Pomo languages.
Join the center for an afternoon of addressing Pomo language preservation topics.
Hear from presenters and speakers that are implementing and participating in important revitalization projects, and learn about upcoming opportunities.
Center staff will present information about current and upcoming activities and discuss how community members can become involved.
Waibax ganu much ganulim – speak our language.
Funding for this project was made possible through a grant from the Administration For Native Americans.
For more information visit www.cimcc.org.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Local law enforcement agencies partnered again this year to bring Christmas cheer to county children whose lives have been touched by crime.
The annual Christmas present drive is hosted by the Lake County District Attorney's Office Victim-Witness Division.
The effort culminated on Friday in the distribution of toys by members of the California Highway Patrol, Lakeport Police, Clearlake Police, Lake County Sheriff's Office and the District Attorney's Office.
Debbie Wallace, head of Victim-Witness, said the toy drive has been going on about 15 years.
This year, it served 86 children who she said have in some way or another been a victim of crime – either because they live in a home where domestic violence has been present, they were victims of molestation or because of other crime-related circumstances.
Gifts come from sources such as St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lakeport, which hosts a wish tree with tags for the children, said Wallace.
“They've helped us out through all the years,” Wallace said, adding that St. Peter's Catholic Church in Kelseyville also has been a contributor in past years.
This year the drive was coming up short on gifts, but Wallace said the Lake County Sheriff's Office came through with the rest of the needed items.
She said Victim-Witness collects names of children to receive presents throughout the year. The effort to gather all of the gifts for this Christmas began in October.
Colorfully wrapped presents and gift bags were loaded into police, sheriff's and CHP vehicles and delivered around the county so that they would be waiting for the children on Christmas morning.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Thomas Cottiero, 30, a construction worker from Lakeport, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine for sale and possession of a loaded firearm in the commission or attempted commission of a felony following an eviction.
He was taken into custody Thursday night after returning to a residence in the 500 block of Martin Street where he had previously been evicted, according to Sgt. Jason Ferguson.
Ferguson said a Lakeport Police officer was dispatched to the residence to contact the owner who reported Cottiero had not removed his belongings and it appeared that he had planned on remaining on the premises.
While inside the residence the officer located approximately an eighth of ounce of suspected methamphetamine, paraphernalia used to ingest methamphetamine and items commonly associated with the sale of methamphetamine on the bed, Ferguson said.
During the investigation Ferguson said Cottiero returned and was subsequently arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
Cottiero also was in possession of a concealed and loaded firearm on his person and was additionally charged with possession of a firearm while in the commission or attempted commission of a felony, Ferguson said.
He was booked at the Lake County Correctional Facility where bail was set at $10,000. Jail records indicated Cottiero posted bail and was released.
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