BPR Mailing List Digest: 07/16/00

Philologos
BPR Mailing List Digest
July 16, 2000

Digest Home | 2000 | July, 2000

To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Gay group seeks legal action against Pope
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 10:12:08 -0400

Gay group seeks legal action
against Pope

   A Dutch gay organization has filed a complaint seeking
   legal action against the Pope for what it called his
   discriminatory remarks against homosexuals.

   The complaint came in response to remarks by Pope
   John Paul II from St. Peter's Square denouncing the
   gay pride festival in Rome and describing
   homosexuality as "contrary to natural law."

   "The Pope's comments give rise to hatred against, or
   discrimination of certain groups of people," said the
   complaint submitted to the Amsterdam district
   attorney's office by a group associated with Gay Krant,
   a popular Dutch biweekly magazine.

   The Friends of Gay Krant asked the district attorney to
   request Italian cooperation to investigate whether the
   pope should be questioned about possible violations of
   criminal law regarding inciting hatred.

   Henk Krol, the editor of the magazine, admitted the
   prospects of prosecuting the pontiff were dim, but the
   symbolism of the complaint was important.

   "Lawyers with whom I have conferred disagree on the
   options we have," he said. "Dutch law is quite strict
   regarding discrimination, and we are looking into Italian
   law."

   The petition also complained that the Catholic Church
   in the Netherlands failed to distance itself from the
   Pope's anti-gay stance.

   The Netherlands has a long tradition of tolerance for
   homosexuals, with gay clubs operating openly, gay
   magazines on display in mainstream bookstores and a
   public monument dedicated to gays in downtown
   Amsterdam.

   Thousands of gays paraded in Rome last Sunday, in
   what the pontiff called an "offence to Christian values in
   a city that is so dear to the heart of Catholics all over
   the world," especially in the year 2000.

Last updated: 00:15 Saturday 15th July 2000.

http://ananova.com/news/story/sm_10909.html

Link via:
http://www.newsviewtoday.com

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To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Christian priests get death threats
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 10:17:28 -0400

Christian priests get death threats
Bangalore, July 14 (HT Correspondent)

CLOSE ON the heels of the bomb blasts in the state, Christian priests in
the north Karnataka city of Hubli-Dharwad have received a shock in the
form of a letter that threatens them with death if they did not “stop
conversions and accept Hinduism”.

The letter that arrived by post to almost all the priests of the
Protestant order in the twin cities is sourced as “Vishwa Hindu Parishad”
but otherwise unsigned. Under the heading ‘Last Warning to Christian
Missionaries´, the nine-paragraph letter has sent shock waves.

Talking to The Hindustan Times over phone from neighbouring Belgaum,
Bishop Bernad Moras said these letters were received by post on July 11th
and 12th only by the priests in the twin cities. A complaint has been
filed by the priests with the Hubli-Dharwad police.

Bishop Moras said though it had been signed with the nomenclature “Vishwa
Hindu Parishad”, the police would have to find out who exactly sent them.
“Somebody else could be using the VHP name,” he said.

“We do not know whether this is in any way related to the recent bomb
blasts, but I feel that the state Corps of Detectives (COD) which is
investigating the case should look into this also,” the Bishop said.

The letter, highly incendiary, speaks disparagingly of the Christian
community and demands that the priests should instead turn to “Sri Rama”
and “Sri Krishna” and worship the cow if they wanted to live in India.

Interestingly, the letter has been received only by Protestant priests and
not even a single Roman Catholic priest has got them. Bishop Moras said
there had been no previous threats of this nature except for the recent
bomb blasts.

The letter says that so far bomb blasts occurred only at churches. If
“our” instructions are not followed it the blasts will occur in “your
homes”, the letter warned.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/nonfram/150700/detFRO02.htm

Link via:
http://www.newsviewtoday.com

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To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Tzemach News items
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 10:22:03 -0400

MEDIA IGNORES TEMPLE MOUNT DESTRUCTION: Nothing indicates the
power of the media like its ability to push peripheral issues onto center stage and
relegate profound stories to oblivion. Thus the NEW YORK TIMES' Deborah
Sontag chooses to include gay issues in Israel ("Matan Has Two Mommies,
and Israel Is Talking," 4 June) and, along with the LOS ANGELES TIMES'
Tracy Wilkinson and others, to cover alleged tree-planting irregularities
by the Jewish National Fund. But no American mass media outlet has
provided serious coverage of the occurrences now under way on the Temple
Mount. The Moslem Waqf, which administers the Mount, has launched
far-reaching, unilateral, unauthorized alterations of the most sacred site
in Judaism, the place where both the ancient Jewish Temples stood and
where the Holy of Holies exists. Israel's press, including
English-language media read by American journalists, has been filled with
coverage of the activity. The reaction in Israel to this plundering of one
of the most important historical, archeological and religious sites in the
world was bipartisan shock. The director of the Antiquities Authority,
Amir Drori, called it "an archeological crime." Attorney General Elyakim
Rubinstein denounced it as an assault on Jewish history. Two hundred
prominent Israelis from every sector of academic and political life
deplored the ravaging by the Waqf. Thus were Meretz Knesset members and
Left-leaning authors like Amos Oz and AB Yehoshua joined with Likud MKs,
Israel Prize winners and university heads in nearly unprecedented unity.
But American journalists, who regularly pick up stories from their Israeli
counterparts, were studiously uninterested. How different it was in the
fall of 1996, when Israel opened a small exit onto the Via Dolorosa from
an existing archeological tunnel that abuts the Western Wall. Although the
action touched no Islamic religious site and entailed only minor physical
alteration of the area, Israel was excoriated in a fusillade of news
reports and editorials that routinely distorted the locale of the tunnel
and its exit, the history of the Mount, the motives of the Israelis and
the role of the Palestinian Authority. Israel was accused of outrageous
provocation, and its officials were subjected to relentless questioning
about the affront to Islam allegedly perpetrated. CNN repeatedly recounted
the anger and "frustration" of Palestinians. Yet there is a calculated,
ongoing Muslim assault against Judaism's holiest site, but for the NEW
YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES, CNN and the rest of the media, the
irreversible desecration is simply not considered news.

SYRIA'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION: Syria possesses chemical
weapons and has expressed interest in biological warfare, according to a new Center
for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) report. Syria has improved
its radar and targeting capabilities and has developed a significant
long-range air strike capability, all of which pose a significant threat
to Israel, Anthony Cordesman, CSIS Burke Chair in Strategy, writes in his
report. It can be accessed at http://www.csis.org. "The new missiles have
better range payload, reliability, and accuracy than the extended-range
Scuds that Saddam Hussein used in the Gulf War. Most experts believe that
these missiles are armed with VX nerve gas warheads joining the large
number of sheltered Scud missiles with nerve gas warheads that Syria
already deploys," Cordesman writes. Cordesman is an adjunct professor of
national security studies at Georgetown University and was the national
security assistant to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). He has served in senior
positions in the Departments of Defense, State, and Energy and in the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. CSIS is an independent,
nonpartisan public policy research organization.

THIS WEEK IN JEWISH HISTORY:

10 July 1391: As news of the Spanish riots reached Majorca, riots broke
out all over the island. In many towns the entire Jewish community was
destroyed and its inhabitants either converted or were murdered.

12 July 1555: Pope Paul IV (1555-1559), in his "Bull Cum nimis absurdum",
renewed all previous anti-Jewish legislation and installed a ghetto in
Rome. Jews were forced to wear a given cap and forbidden to own real
estate or practice medicine on Christians. Communities weren't allowed to
have more than one synagogue and Jews in all the papal states were forced
to lock themselves into the confines of the ghettos each night.

13 July 1933: In Germany, Nazism was declared the sole German party.

15 July 1099: Godfrey de Bouillon (Duke of Lower Lorraine, one of the
leaders of the First Crusade) entered Jerusalem, drove all the Jews into
the synagogue, and set them afire while he marched around the synagogue
singing, "Christ, we adore thee". It is estimated that between 20,000 and
30,000 Jews were massacred or captured and sold as slaves in Italy.

15 July 1834: The Inquisition was finally abolished by the Queen mother,
Maria Christina after nearly three and one half centuries.

This material has been adapted from "Beyond Time and History" by Eli
Birnbaum

Tzemach News Service - http://www.tzemach.org/fyi
Week Ending: 15 July 2000 / 12 Tammuz 5760

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

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To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - (Fwd) Arutz-7 News: Sunday, July 16, 2000
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 10:43:52 -0400

------- Forwarded message follows -------
Date sent: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 17:29:12 +0300
To: arutz-7@arutzsheva.org
From: Arutz-7 Editor <neteditor@IsraelNationalNews.com>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, July 16, 2000
Send reply to: netnews@a7.org

Arutz Sheva News Service
<www.IsraelNationalNews.com>
Sunday, July 16, 2000 / Tammuz 13, 5760
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TODAY'S HEADLINES:
  1. LARGEST-EVER RALLY PLANNED
  2. RUMORS FROM CAMP DAVID
  3. TAMIR: ISRAEL TO RECOGNIZE PLO STATE EVEN WITHOUT AGREEMENT
  4. ISRAEL TO GIVE AWAY MORE NEGEV AREAS
  5. CLINTON PROMISES BIG BUCKS
  6. TROOPS CALLED IN TO QUELL HEVRON VIOLENCE
  7. P.A. TRAINS YOUTH FOR WAR
  8. LETTER FROM SUPREME COURT CHIEF
  9. IRANIAN NUKES PLAYED DOWN
  10. EFRAT EVICTION
  11. PLANNING OPPOSITION STRATEGY

1. LARGEST-EVER RALLY PLANNED
Much of the nation continues to make last-minute preparations for what its
planners hope will be Israel's largest demonstration ever. At least 1,120
buses had been chartered by noon today to bring protestors to tonight's
pro-Land of Israel rally at Tel Aviv's Rabin Square. Other participants
plan to arrive by public transportation, private cars, or by foot. Nearby
roads are being gradually closed, and meticulous traffic arrangements have
been made by the Tel Aviv police. Major efforts have been expended to
ensure that bus passengers would be able to be dropped off and picked up
with a minimum of hassle and delay. Demonstrators against Barak's planned
major concessions include Jordan Valley farmers, Golan Heights residents,
families from Judea, Samaria, and Gaza, and citizens from every town and
city in Israel. Separate men-and-women areas will be set up in certain
parts of Rabin Square.

The demonstration has aroused some concern in Camp David, among the
Israeli, Palestinian, and American teams. Arutz-7's Haggai Huberman
reports that the wide-spread public opposition that will be voiced against
the summit tonight has aroused Barak to action: "Take note of his behavior
this past week. He hired special media advisors and spokesmen to come with
his delegation; he called for activists to head to intersections to sway
public opinion; he made a point of stressing the religious Zionist figures
who came to his office to wish him luck prior to the summit; and he has
made 'hawkish' declarations regarding his 'red lines' such as a united
Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty. What's particularly vexing Barak and
his aides is the non-violence and effective information campaign employed
by his opposition..." Huberman noted that the Palestinians are similarly
worried about Israeli public opinion, and are anxious that compromises they
might make will be rejected by the Israeli public. "This is also one of
the reasons that the Palestinians announced last week that they, too, would
conduct a referendum if a deal is signed."

2. RUMORS FROM CAMP DAVID
Rumors and fragmented reports continue to be the order of the day from Camp
David. The Palestinians are reported to be optimistic, saying that only
the refugees and certain aspects of Jerusalem remain to be resolved.
Israeli sources are said to be cautious, and have been quoted to the effect
that the talks are "difficult" and that there has been no "breakthrough."
U.S. President Clinton will depart on Wednesday for Tokyo for a meeting of
the leading industrialized countries. Barak's press aide Gadi Baltiansky
said that the talks could last another two weeks.

Arutz-7 correspondent Haggai Huberman reported today, "Some commentators
have observed that Israel's spokesmen are purposely trying to convey a
sense of pessimism, as a method of taking the wind out of the sails of the
opposition's objections. If word were to get out that the talks are in a
state of crisis because Barak is standing firm on his red lines, the rally
tonight stressing his capitulation would look somewhat silly."

Huberman said that after giving Barak and Arafat several days to calm down
and forget their respective domestic difficulties, the Americans intend to
begin submitting their compromise proposals. "One of the ideas was to
offer the PA 97% of Yesha," he explained, "but this was rejected because it
would belie Barak's pledge to retain most of Yesha residents under Israeli
sovereignty. To get around this, it was proposed to isolate the Shomron
town of Ariel as an Israeli enclave, while leaving the Trans-Samaria
Highway that links it with the rest of Israel under Palestinian control."

So far, however, the Palestinians have rejected any offer of less than 100%
of Yesha, unless it involves a meter-for-meter exchange for territory
within sovereign Israel. "They would be willing to accept even less than a
meter-for-meter exchange if they receive certain key strategic locations,"
Huberman noted, "such as their own Palestinian runway and terminal at Ben
Gurion International Airport, or their own pier at the Ashdod seaport."
Regarding the refugees, too, Huberman said, "there are no indications that
the PA will accept Barak's offer of the humanitarian resettling of 100,000
displaced Arabs; they rather continue to insist publicly on the return of
all Palestinian refugees."

3. TAMIR: ISRAEL TO RECOGNIZE PLO STATE EVEN WITHOUT AGREEMENT
Absorption Minister Yuli Tamir, acting as an Israeli government spokesman
in Washington, told Yediot Acharonot today that even if the Camp David
talks fail, and even if the Palestinians declare a state unilaterally,
Israel will recognize it. Tamir added that even after such a declaration,
Israel will continue to negotiate with the Palestinians on the outstanding
issues. This is the first time that an Israeli government representative
has said that Israel would recognize a unilaterally-declared Palestinian
state; Prime Minister Barak, in fact, told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and
Defense Committee this month that Israel would annex Yesha areas in
response to a unilateral Palestinians declaration.

4. ISRAEL TO GIVE AWAY MORE NEGEV AREAS
Israeli representatives in Camp David are negotiating the transfer of parts
of the Negev to the Palestinian Authority. Shmuel Rifman, Chairman of the
Negev Development Authority, in divulging this plan today, said that he is
not referring to the Halutza areas south and southeast of Gaza that have
been proposed in exchange for Jewish areas in Judea and Samaria, but rather
to "a return to the 1947 Partition Plan." The partition plan stipulated
that the Gaza Strip and another, larger strip running perpendicular to it
to the southeast would be assigned to Egypt (see the map at
"http://us-israel.org/jsource/History/unplan47.html"). The Jewish Agency
accepted the plan, but the Arab states rejected it and declared war on the
new state of Israel. The larger strip was then captured by Israel, and was
recognized as Israeli territory in all future agreements. Rifman claims
that he has information originating with leading negotiator Minister Shlomo
Ben-Ami and others that Israel now plans to cede this five-kilometer wide
strip of land to the Palestinians as a "gesture." Rifman, a left-wing
personality who publicly supported Barak's diplomatic plans, said that he
will not be able to support a peace plan that includes the cession of these
areas, "no matter how good the peace offer is."

5. CLINTON PROMISES BIG BUCKS
Amidst the Camp David talks, Israeli, American, and Palestinian officials
are working on a parallel track to convince Congress to approve the giant
aid package to both Israel and the PA that would be an intrinsic part of
whatever agreement, if any, is reached. Several Congressmen have
expressed great concern over the tremendous amounts of money Clinton
appears to be promising the sides. A letter to the President initiated by
Congressmen Joel Hefley of Colorado and Jim Ryun of Kansas stated:
"We believe that a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is
unlikely [as long as] critically important issues remain unresolved, such
as recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital city and the return of
Palestinian refugees to Israel. Anything less would only be a cease fire,
which the U.S. should not endorse or underwrite. Furthermore, we believe
the U.S. should not pressure Israel to agree to territorial concessions
which would... prevent Israel from defending itself in the event of war.
We ask you to take into account the demand for tens of billions of U.S.
dollars to guarantee implementation of territorial changes, the relocation
of Israelis left homeless after land withdrawals, and the long-term nature
of these dramatic changes. We urge you not to make any commitment for the
U.S. Congress before details of the agreement, the financial repercussions,
and U.S. obligations are discussed with the Congress."

Helen Freedman, Executive Director of Americans for a Safe Israel,
expressing gratitude for the Congressmen's strong stance, stated in response,
"It is crucial that the American taxpayer understand the enormous monetary
cost involved in the promises Clinton will be making at Camp David. These
will be used to coerce Israel into giving up land vital to its citizens,
its security, and its very existence. The promises of U.S. billions will
strengthen the dictators of the Middle East, especially the terrorist
Arafat, who is continuing to use threats and acts of violence as part of
his negotiating strategy."

6. TROOPS CALLED IN TO QUELL HEVRON VIOLENCE
IDF forces were deployed in Hevron this afternoon, following an escalation
in hostilities there between Arab and Jewish residents. Today's violence
started with a fistfight between an Arab and a Jewish youth; within
minutes, an Arab mob appeared on the scene and began hurling rocks and
firebombs at the Avraham Avinu neighborhood. The violence began yesterday
when a Hevron Arab assaulted a teen-aged Jewish girl, and Jews who gathered
to protest the crime were attacked by mobs of Arab stone-throwers. The
girl was nearly strangled by the Arab, but her screams scared him off.
After she returned home and filed a complaint with the police, some 200
Hevron Jews gathered to protest - and were greeted by Arab-hurled rocks. A
large scuffle ensued, and two Arabs, one Jewish resident, and an IDF
soldier were injured.

The internet site of Ha'aretz reported last night a blatantly one-sided
version of yesterday's events: "A large number of settlers from Kiryat
Arba and Hevron attacked dozens of Palestinians near Kiryat Arba and the
Machpelah Cave and Tel Romeida area - area that is under total Israeli
control; so recounted Palestinian sources... According to [the
Palestinians,] the settlers attacked 'every Palestinian' in homes and
streets..." As mentioned, the violence was actually instigated by a mob of
stone-throwing Arabs.

7. P.A. TRAINS YOUTH FOR WAR
The Palestinian Authority is offering military training to youths aged
14-18. Some 2,000 youths are being trained in six summer camps, in a
program called "Fighting Youth Course." Gen. Muhammad Harara, responsible
for the program, said that the boys will be assigned missions appropriate
for their age.

8. LETTER FROM SUPREME COURT CHIEF
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Moshe Landau is against the planned
concessions to the Palestinians by Prime Minister Barak. In a letter to
Natan Sharansky, who recently resigned from the government in protest of
Barak's policies, Landau wrote,
"At this difficult hour for the State, I wish to encourage you for
reaching the right conclusion as a public figure, in light of the dangers
to the existence of the State caused by the concessions planned by the
Prime Minister - whether the Camp David summit succeeds or fails. These
concessions are a large step forward in our enemies' 'plan of stages'
towards their final goal of liquidating the Zionist entity. Our enemies
are again showing their true face and are continuing to act according to
the Palestinian charter, mixed with diplomatic negotiations and violence...
I view with concern the lack of willingness amongst our own people to
stand up for the soul of the nation. This phenomenon is not new; the
Prophet Jeremiah wrote, 'They have superficially healed the hurt of my
people by saying, 'Peace, peace' - when there is no peace.'"

9. IRANIAN NUKES PLAYED DOWN
In light of reports that Iran will have nuclear capabilities within five
years, Defense Ministry Director-General Amos Yaron wishes to calm public
fears. "True, yesterday's launch showed that they can dispatch long-range
missiles," Yaron said, "but there is still a long way to go before they can
actually implement such a program." He also said that Iran has no
intention of attacking Israel with the missiles, and that Israel has
defense systems against such a threat. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha'ul
Mofaz, too, tried to allay public concern. Likud MK Yuval Steinitz said
that the preoccupation with Iranian capabilities is dangerous, as Iran has
proven itself to be a responsible regime that has never instigated a war:
"I don't know what the considerations of the news agencies are [in
emphasizing this story], but I hope this is not a conscious attempt to
distract the public from other much more important issues facing us."

10. EFRAT EVICTION
Several dozen young citizens - from Efrat as well as from other cities
around Israel - settled on the Tamar hilltop outside Efrat last night, and
erected two huts and a watchtower there. Large army and police forces
arrived in the early morning hours, and the eviction of the youngsters
ended shortly after 1 PM. Tamar Ferenczi, who participated in the effort,
said that they plan not to give up, "as this hilltop is an intrinsic part
of Efrat. Just as we succeeded in the Dagan hilltop here in Efrat, we hope
to succeed here at Tamar as well."

11. PLANNING OPPOSITION STRATEGY
Opposition party heads are gathered at this hour in the Jerusalem
municipality for what they have termed an "emergency meeting." Shas
officials are attendance as well. The meeting was called by Jerusalem
Mayor Ehud Olmert and Likud leader Ariel Sharon. The NRP's Sha'ul Yahalom
said there that he hopes that Binyamin Netanyahu will lead the nationalist
camp in the next elections, as "he has the best chances to lead us to
victory."

Hebrew News Editor: Haggai Seri
English News Editor: Hillel Fendel

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To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Today in history
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 11:00:15 -0400

- Today is Sunday, July 16, the 198th day of 2000. There are 168 days
left in the year.

- In 1790: The District of Columbia was established as the seat of the
United States government.

- In 1918: Russia's Czar Nicholas II, his empress and their five
children were executed by the Bolsheviks.

- On July 16, 1945: The United States exploded its first experimental
atomic bomb, in the desert of Alamogordo, N.M.

- In 1957: Marine Maj. John Glenn set a transcontinental speed record
when he flew a jet from California to New York in three hours, 23
minutes and eight seconds.

- In 1969: Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy on the first manned
mission to the surface of the moon.

- In 1973: White House aide Alexander Butterfield revealed at the
Senate Watergate hearings the existence of President Nixon's secret
taping system.

- In 1979: Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq.

- In 1994: The first of 21 pieces of comet Shoemaker-Levy smashed into
Jupiter to the joy of astronomers awaiting the celestial fireworks.

- In 2000: Lunar eclipse lasting 1hr 47m.

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

========
To: bpr-list@philologos.org (BPR Mailing List)
Subject: [BPR] - Moon to be blood-red during lunar eclipse
From: bpr-list@philologos.org("Moza")
Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 17:17:40 -0400

Sunday, 16 July, 2000

Moon to be blood-red during lunar eclipse

By Graham Cooke

The moon was as though drenched with blood . . . Anglo Saxon Chronicles,
734

AND it's in for another drenching tonight. At least, that's the belief of local
astronomers, who will be focusing their telescopes and cameras moonwards
in the hope of capturing one of the rarest of heavenly happenings - a full lunar
eclipse.

It does not occur that often - the next one will not be until August 28, 2007 -
and this event will be extra special because of its length, about as long as it
can possibly be and certainly the longest for 100 years.

Officially it begins at 8.47pm and ends at 1.53am but, says a member of the
Canberra Astronomical Society, Paul Floyd, the really spectacular show is
roughly between 10pm and midnight.

"We should see the moon change to a red, coppery colour, possibly
becoming so dark it is almost invisible," he said.

"And just to add to the show, the International Space Station should also be
visible, although that will happen earlier in the evening.

"The really good thing about this is that unlike a solar eclipse, it is quite safe
to watch with the naked eye."

Mr Floyd says a lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon are in a
straight line, with the Earth in the middle.

"The Earth will then cast a shadow over the moon, but because the sun's
rays will be shining directly through our atmosphere, which tends to bend
light, the shadow will look red rather than the black we see on a sunny day,"
he said.

How red depends on the state of our planet's envelope of air. If there has
been a great deal of volcanic activity, with a lot of dust in the upper
atmosphere, the moon will be a deeper red.

The phenomena has fascinated mankind from earliest times. The Ancient
Greeks deduced the Earth must be a globe by observing its curved shadow
passing across the moon's face, and even today, more than 40 years into
the space age, there are still things to be learned from ground-based
observations.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news2/news5.shtml

See http://philologos.org/bpr for additional info.

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