2008 Eclipse
Total lunar eclipse begins at 7 pm and ends at 7:51 pm.
Lunar Eclipse Resource Guide (PDF) by Andrew Fraknoi (Foothill College and Astronomical Society of the Pacific)
Note: You can see the total eclipse of the Moon from many places in Northern California. If you want to see the early stages of partial eclipse and ALL of totality, make sure you observe from a site that has and unobstructed view of the eastern horizon, and no hills or slopes to your East that raise that horizon significantly.
The following are places where there will be knowledgeable people and telescopes to aid in observing:
Lawrence Hall of Science plaza, University of California, Berkeley. The Moon won't clear the building on our hilly eastern horizon until about 7:15 pm, which is 15 minutes into totality. So if you want to see some of the partial stages before totality, and the very onset of totality, stay on flatland or go to the top of a hill. Then come to LHS for the the latter half of the eclipse and enjoy a fantastic view of the Bay, weather permitting. We'll have telescopes there in the 8" to 12" diameter range.
The Hercules Stargazers will hold a Total Lunar Eclipse Gaze, weather-permittting, on Wednesday, February 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the basketball courts behind Foxboro Park Building in Hercules, at 1025 Canterbury Drive. (Please avoid the building itself, as there will be a separate event inside.) We provide telescopes and binoculars, and you are encouraged to bring your own. Dress Warmly. Please -- no smoking, no alcohol, and cell phones off. All Ages welcome. For further information, call 510-526-5974, or e-mail getastrodave@gmail.com .
Houge Park in San Jose—The San Jose Astronomical Association SJAA will be doing an event and will have telescopes set up at Houge Park in San Jose near Good Samaritan Hospital. Our website [http://www.sjaa.net] will have more details as we get closer to Feb 20th. All are welcome to join us form about 7 pm until 10 pm. Houge ParkDriving directions can be found at http://www.sjaa.net/directions.html#Houge_Park.
Randall Museum, 7PM, the SF Amateur Astronomers invite the public to join in viewing the Lunar Eclipse on February 20 from the Randall Museum's Observation Deck. SFAA will provide telescopes for viewing and a lecture on "Moonology" will follow at 8pm in the Randall Museum Theatre. Weather may cancel viewing but the lecture will go on at 8pm. 199 Museum Way (off Roosevelt, above 14th and Castro Streets)
Foothill College Observatory - The Peninsula Astronomical Society will have public viewing of February 20th's Lunar eclipse, weather permitting, at the Foothill College Observatory, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos. We expect to have member telescopes and large binoculars (ideal for a Lunar eclipse) set up outside the observatory, and viewing of Saturn and other objects in the newly installed 16" telescope inside the dome. Further information about Foothill College Observatory and this event can be found at: http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/ast/special.htm