And the hits just keep on coming. We observed -- albeit on the
computer -- the annular eclipse of the sun on May 20, and now
there are two more spectacular celestial events in the offing
for our viewing pleasure. Although, one of them will be better
viewed using on-line remote telescopes. First up is a partial
lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse occurs when a full moon passes
through Earth's shadow. A lunar eclipse can only happen during a
full moon. That will be on Monday, June 4. Unfortunately, it
will start just before sunrise. Those of us who reside in
Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas will not see all of the
eclipse. The first noticeable "bite" of Earth's shadow showing
on the lunar surface will be at about 4 a.m. The eclipse will
progress for a little over an hour when the moon will set and be
lost to our view. The partial eclipse will cover only the bottom
half of the moon anyway. The next event is the biggie for us
astronomical types, Venus will transit, or cross in front of,
the face of the sun, on