“The church says the earth is flat, but I know that it is round, for I have seen the shadow on the moon, and I have more faith in a shadow than in the church.”
Ferdinand Magellan (via) would know, obviously, as he gets credit as the first person to lead an expedition around the whole of it.
And on the topic of the moon and shadows, there’s a full lunar eclipse happening December 20/21st that will be viewable across North America, assuming you’re fortunate enough to lack cloud cover that night. I don’t know if I want to be up that late, outside in the cold, watching the whole slow dance, but the NASA site does provide very accurate information about the best time to be outside looking for those who want it.
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.
Cool beans.
One Minion's Opinion 