The total lunar eclipse attracted nearly 200 people to Totality 2004, an Oct. 27 viewing sponsored by the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society at Granite Regional Park.

The group, whose members include Sacramento State astronomy professors and students, expected a crowd of 2,000 people, but were uncertain until the last minute whether the event would take place because of a chance of rain.

"With astronomy events it's Mother Nature we depend on, so we've been looking at the skies nervously," outreach coordinator Dawn Chleborad said. "Our number one concern with this event was parking and safety."

Many children scurried in the grass tossing glow-in-the-dark necklaces in the air while their parents observed the moon through 20 different refracting telescopes on site.

Dawn Chleborad, whose husband Carey Chleborad is the president of the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society, said she attributed the low attendance to the World Series game between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals airing on television the same night.

Another contributing factor may have been the incorrect directions given on the group's Web site, which said Granite Regional Park was located on 14th Avenue. The park is located off Ramona Drive.

"I had some trouble finding the place," said Adrienne Bird, 37, who came to the event. "There are a few cars having a party at the dead end on 14th Avenue right now."

Totality 2004 began its presentation at 6:30 p.m. with a 15-minute presentation explaining the phenomenon of a lunar eclipse.

When the Earth, sun and moon fall into a single line, an eclipse occurs because earth casts a dark shadow over the moon. Some sunlight refracts through Earth's atmosphere and shines on the moon, causing it to appear reddish in color.

The Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society recruited 40 volunteers to help with the event.

The Dark Skye Regiment, a sub-group of the Sacramento Astronomical Society, were dressed in black kilts, and as the groups ambassadors, they spoke readily with the media and the public.

"I think a lot of women feel that astronomy is a male thing, and I've noticed that the kilts worn by the regiment make women and children feel more comfortable in approaching them," Dawn Chleborad said. "You have to have a sense of humor."

As the lunar eclipse entered totality at 7:23 p.m., those gazing at the dark sky could also see a few shooting stars.

Three tables were set up next to the presentation video, including a fund-raising table selling astronomy sweat shirts, a membership table for those interested in signing up and a kid's activity table, where children and their parents constructed star clocks out of paper.

The star clocks can tell time by locating the big dipper in the sky and matching it to how it appears on the paper wheel.

Sac State student Kymica Brewer was there for an extra credit assignment for her Astronomy 4 class taught by Professor Hulbe. Brewer said she had two assignments: one was to attend the event and write a paragraph about it, and the other was to illustrate the stages of the lunar eclipse.

"There's a lot of cool technology displayed tonight," Brewer said. Professor Hulbe, a member of the Astronomical Society for over 30 years, was dressed in a bright red sweater and in high spirits. He said he was present strictly as an observer, and wouldn't have missed the event for the World Series game.

"I love baseball, but there's a lot more baseball than lunar eclipses," Hulbe said. Another Sac State astronomy professor, Christopher Taylor, said that some of his students are members of the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society, and although he didn't offer them extra credit, he announced the event to his classes and encouraged them to attend.

The Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society was founded 60 years ago by a group of astronomy enthusiasts.

Carey Chleborad said the group currently boasts 350 family memberships, equating roughly to 1,200-1,600 members.

The group has hosted six major events in the past two years, and next January the group is planning to host a "Bright Comet" event.

Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact Dawn Chleborad at 457-9115 or visit the Web site at www.svas.org.

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