The dark side of the moon

There's something magical about the moon disappearing in the shadow of the earth. As though the sun, the moon and the earth collaborated on a synchronous performance designed to astonish and amaze us. A performance we all get to witness simultaneously, regardless of where we are, unlike the sunrise and sunset. I love that.

And it doesn't happen too often - in fact, the next one will be in 2010. According to the Telegraph, the moon will appear red, from sunlight seeping in from the edges of the atmosphere. And to answer one question someone asked me - an eclipse can only happen during a full moon.

It may not be a blue moon, but it's a rare event nonetheless - a pumpkin moon glowing in the penumbra. I wouldn't miss it.