If the weather stays clear . . .

. . . as the moon rises, you'll see the red hue start to form as the sun-earth-moon alignment creates a lunar eclipse. The moon rises between 6:30p and 7:00p, and the eclipse begins at 7:15p. (The NASA website has times and phases of the February 20 eclipse.)

Chabot Space & Science Center in the Oakland hills is hosting Total Lunar Eclipse: Red Moon Rising from 5p to 8p. The event includes live planetarium presentations, hands-on activities, and telescope viewing from the observation deck. A three-mile guided hike begins at the center at 5p.

In San Francisco, you can join San Francisco Sidewalk Astronomers on the Randall Museum's observation deck at 7p for an eclipse viewing. A "Moonology" lecture follows at 8p.

One of the best astronomy experiences I've had in recent years, was an impromptu sky view through the homemade telescope of a knowledgeable Sidewalk Astronomer. If you're at all interested in the cosmos, see what the Sidewalk Astronomer organization has to offer.

Additional viewings:

• Foothills Observatory in Los Altos Hills
• Point Bonita Lighthouse Full Moon Walk (if not full) -- phone for reservations: (415) 331-1540.

^{Photo © Ingrid Taylar}