[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 0 - 10:10:38 ]
Hello! Today's chat with Terry Kucera will begin in just about 50 minutes. Be sure to read Terry's bio prior to coming to the chat: http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/sso/team/kucera.html

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 1 - 10:37:01 ]
Some advice from Terry-- Pay attention to what you actually like doing, both in and out of school. When you have a job someday you'll probably be spending at least eight hours a day at it - it's best if you enjoy it!

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 5 - 11:01:21 ]
RE: [Ian] I'm here
Hi Ian. do you have a question?

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 8 - 11:08:47 ]
RE: [Ian/DunBradstreet] Yes, Terry. On Sunday night at about 9PM I saw what appeared to be a partial lunar eclipse. But I understand that isn't possible as it was a waxing crescent moon. What did I see?
Why did you think it was a partial lunar eclipse? I'll guess based on what I remember seeing the same night: At about the same time I remember looking up and being able to see at lease some of the entire moon - I could see the bright cresant, but the rest of the moon was faintly visible as well. This is because of Earthshine - the Earth reflects sunlight onto the Moon, which reflects it back. That is why we can sometimes even see the parts of the moon not facing the Sun.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 9 - 11:10:17 ]
Hi Ian. Welcome to today's QuestChat with Terry Kucera. Right now you're the only person logged on, besides Terry and myself, so take advantage and give Terry your best questions :-)

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 13 - 11:22:54 ]
RE: [Ian/DunBradstreet] Terry I saw the same thing. But, what made me keep on looking was the crescent started getting smaller and smaller til it was just what appeared to be an penumbra of the moon! Then surprisingly the crescent started to come back and increase gradually to its original size. Very extraordinary.
Hmm, I don't know about that. All I can think of are clouds, maybe high ones you'd not be able to see well, but I am just guessing. You were correct with your first statement that only a full moon can be eclipsed by the Earth.

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 14 - 11:23:28 ]
RE: [Ian/DunBradstreet] Tere was some light cloud cover but not enough to cause the slow regular phenomenon I saw.
I don't know, then!

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 15 - 11:27:58 ]
Hi Ian: Interesting question! Unless you have some more questions for Terry, I'm going to close the chat room down in 5 minutes since you are the only one to show up today! But we are glad you're here :-)

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 18 - 11:30:46 ]
RE: [Ian/DunBradstreet] Terry, is there any observatories on the east coast that continuously observe the moon?
When it is up you mean? :-) I would be surprised if there are any professional observatories doing that - although I could be wrong - I don't study the Moon in particular, so I am not up on what everyone is doing.

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 19 - 11:31:44 ]
RE: [Ian/DunBradstreet] It's tragic. I think most high schools are closed down today becaus of yesterday's tragedy in CO. We had a student bomber caught at a high school here today and it was closed as a result. Frightening.
Yes, I hadn't thought of that.

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 22 - 11:36:21 ]
RE: [Scooby] what planet is in conjunction with the moon now?
Hi Scooby. That planet is Venus You can find out more things like that at http://currentsky.com/current/cur.html

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 23 - 11:41:18 ]
Ian and Scooby: Unless you have one last question for Terry, I'm going to close the chatroom down as you two are the only participants.

[ Sandy/NASAChatHost - 24 - 11:45:53 ]
Today's chat with Solar Physicist Terry Kucera is now over. Please check the Quest Chat Schedule for additional events. http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/common/events

[ TerryKucera/SolarPhysicist - 25 - 11:47:44 ]
Hmm, before signing off I thought I'd mention that there are observatories on the Eart coast and elsewhere that are devoted to studying the Sun. You can see some of the resulting images at http://umbra.nascom.nasa.gov/images/latest.html (yeah, I konw why you asked about the moon, but I thought I'd talk about something I know better!)