The October full moon is sometimes called the "Hunter's Moon" or the "Blood Moon" because hunters once tracked and killed their prey by moonlight as they stockpiled food for the winter ahead. This week's Blood Moon may actually take on a reddish cast on Wednesday evening, thanks to a deep total eclipse.

		Graphic What is a lunar eclipse?

The full moon will be high in the eastern sky when the eclipse reaches totality at 10:23 p.m. Though within the Earth's dark shadow, the moon's face could appear orange or red because it gets some illumination from the orange-red glow of the earth's atmosphere -- the same colors seen during sunrises and sunsets.

Close-up views of the eclipse will be available at sites north and east of Pittsburgh.

In northern Allegheny County, the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will celebrate the eclipse by opening up Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer, for one last public star party of the year. The event will begin at 8 p.m. Call 724-224-2510 for directions or more information.

In Westmoreland County, The Saint Vincent College Physics Club and Department of Physics are opening their telescopes for all to peek at the celestial wonder.

Weather permitting, the commons area outside the Science Center will be peppered with telescopes, and Physics Club students will help visitors focus. Dr. John Smetanka, acting chair of the Physics Department, will explain what's happening on high.

Additional activities are planned for children.

For North Americans the next eclipse as well placed for viewing as this one won't be until Feb. 21, 2008.

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