NEWS
Lunar trifecta coming early morning on Jan. 31
Skywatchers will see something of a “lunar trifecta” the morning of Jan 31, a pre-dawn “Super Blue Blood Moon.”
As January closes the moon will do something it hasn’t since 1866. These lunar events are not uncommon separately, but it is rare for all three to occur at the same time. It should be a rare treat to observe, but it starts early.
The Jan. 31 full moon is special for three reasons: It’s the third in a series of “supermoons,” when the moon is closer to earth in its orbit and about 14 percent brighter than usual.
It’s also the second full moon of the month, commonly known as a “blue moon.” The super blue moon will pass through Earth’s shadow to give viewers in the right location a total lunar eclipse. While the Moon is in the Earth’s shadow it will take on a reddish tint, known as a “blood moon.”
Beginning at 5:30 a.m. EST on Jan. 31, a live feed of the moon will be offered on NASA TV and NASA.gov/live. You can also follow at @NASAMoon.
Time frame for north Texas
Partial eclipse starts about 4:51 a.m.
Total eclipse starts 6:51
Moon sets on the horizon at 7:23 a.m.
A blue moon occurs about every two and a half years. While the moon does not actually appear blue, “Blue Moon” is another term for the second full moon in a single calendar month. January’s first full moon was on Jan. 1. The last blue moon was in July 2015 and the next will be on March 31.
According to the National Aeronautica and Space Administration, the exact moment of the full moon is 8:37 a.m. on Jan. 31, but the moon will appear very full one or two days before and after.
The lunar eclipse will be visible early in the morning of Jan. 31 from western North America. In the central and eastern U.S. only a partial eclipse will be visible since the moon will set before totality.
The eclipse will last almost three and a half hours from the beginning of the partial phase at 3:48 a.m. pacific time and ends at 7:12 p.m. pacific time. Totality according NASA last about 77 minutes from 4:51 a.m. to 6:08 a.m. pacific time.
Blood moon refers to a lunar eclipse where the moon will glow a spectacular red for many viewers. NASA officials explain the sun, earth and moon will line up in such a way that our planet cuts off the moon’s sunlight supply. It will drift into the earth’s shadow and begin to glow a warm, orange-red as light passes through the earth’s atmosphere.
A supermoon glows brighter than the average moon and occurs when the moon is closer to the earth in its orbit. When the moon’s closest approach coincides with a full moon, it can look bigger and brighter, generally about 30 percent. Jan. 31 will be the last chance to see a supermoon this year. It is suggested to look to the skies just after sunset because the lower the moon sits in the ski, the larger it appears, called “moon illusion.”
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
The Bowie City Council welcomed three newly-elected members Tuesday night and the panel had its annual council orientation of duties presented by the city attorney.
Brandon Walker and Laramie Truax took the oath of office for their respective seats during the meeting. Laura Sproles was sworn in prior to the meeting as she was enroute to the hospital after a fall at home where she injured her hand and wrist. All the candidates had to take the oath by Tuesday night after the votes were canvassed.
City Attorney Courtney Goodman-Morris made the presentation on council duties and obligations, as well legal requirements. Brent Shaw was elected as mayor pro tem.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Trustees of the Bowie Independent School District welcomed one new member this week following the Nov. 5 election and accepted the 2023-24 outside audit with no exceptions.
Incumbent Trustee Jacky Betts returned to place one and Angie Christmas took the place two seat. After the board officers were dissolved with the new ones taking the oath, officers were elected. Betts will continue as president, Guy Green as vice president and Kent Dosch as secretary.
Paul Fleming of Edgin, Parkman, Fleming & Fleming, PC, presented the audit telling there were no issues and the process went smoothly. He noted the biggest change was the Legislature compressing the district tax rate and additional changes in the tax law. State aid formula grants increased due to the state’s funding formula compensating for lost property tax revenue due to the law change previously mentioned.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Information was the watchword for the second hospital/emergency room community meeting Tuesday night, as the steering committee was announced along with additional financial considerations.
About 50 people attended the meeting. Melody Gillespie, who was named chairperson for the committee, said the goal is to gather information to get it out into the community. This group was formed after the Bowie emergency room was closed by Faith Rural Health System in early October just shy of one year of operating in Bowie.
Kylie Ward, one of the public relations volunteers, said, “This committee is not here to force things on you and there are assumptions already we are proposing a tax. We are not, we don’t have that ability, we are just a research team here to explore all the options.”
Other members of the committee include Tiffany Chandler and Damon Benton handling finance and grant research; Jennifer Tellef, secretary; Valerie Tomerson, grant research; Ann Smith, PR and Margin Latham and Gillespie, legislative research. It was pointed out there are other members of the sub-committees who are helping with research, but they also invite anyone interested to help with the process.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo – Jack County Judge Keith Umphress spoke at this week’s steering committee meeting. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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