"Oh slug-a-moon, oh slug-a-moon, grant thy faithful hedgehog's boon:"
The bright lights and sprawling suburbs of Houston typically obscure most celestial events, making urban skywatching a poor pursuit.
Tonight, however, offers an enticing exception. A total lunar eclipse will begin at 9:23 p.m. and last for more than an hour. This event, during which the moon falls in the Earth's shadow, is easily visible from even the most well-lit neighborhoods.
It's also relatively rare that such an eclipse is visible from North America and comes early in the evening, but after sunset, to make it accessible to families.
"Aw, Mom...can't we TiVo the sunset? Lost is on."
If even 1 in 100 families here in Houston actually manage to pry their asses off the couch to go look at tonight's eclipse, I'll run naked through East St. Louis with nothing but a Red Sox logo on my chest.
Fortunately, this is one of those challenges that's not easily quantifiable.
For darker skies, viewers can make the trip to the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park, about an hour's drive southwest of Houston.
The observatory's director, Barbara Wilson, suggested people arrive between 7 and 8 p.m. The entrance fee is $3 for adults, and children younger than 12 can enter for free. In addition to smaller telescopes and binoculars, the observatory will sell tickets, for a small fee, to peer at the eclipse through its larger 36-inch telescope.
Although the eclipse will be viewable from all parts of Houston, Wilson said darker skies at the observatory will enhance the experience. Not only will the colors on the surface of the eclipsed moon be more vibrant, she said, many more stars will appear after the moon darkens.
"Under a dark country sky," Wilson said, "the darkness is much more dramatic."
"'Cause it's so...dark, and all. You really can't get a feel for just how darking dark that darkness is. Did I mention the Darkness will be playing? And there'll be screenings of Pitch Black, Darkness Falls, and Near Dark (for the kids)?"
I feel certain that Investigative Reporter Wayne Dolcefino would be happy to certify that the eclipse was witnessed by a large number of strippers.
If the event is witnessed by 1% of Houston's strippers, perhaps Pete can run naked through Rick's Cabaret with a Cardinals' temporary tattoo on his chest...
You know? I think it's fandamtastic that in the 21st Century, surrounded by magical technology, we humans can STILL be bowled over by the magic of an eclipse. Sometimes I really love us humans.
We were the only ones on our block standing out in the sidewalk as the moon did it's thing. Not sure if the Mrs. and I qualify as 1% or more of our block, but I'm pretty sure we do.
Not sure if the Mrs. and I qualify as 1% or more of our block, but I'm pretty sure we do.
No, you don't.
Michael's idea of running through Rick's intrigues me, however. To the DolceFone!
There's a darkness on the edge of town...
I think we need to get Wayne Dolcefino to certify that 1% of all Houston households had one or more members who viewed the eclipse...