Tonight – An Eclipse of a Blue Moon!!

Space Weather News for Dec. 31, 2009 BLUE MOON ECLIPSE: For the first time in almost 20 years, there’s going to be a “Blue Moon” on New Year’s Eve. In Europe, sky watchers will witness an even rarer event—an eclipse of a Blue Moon on New Year’s Eve. What are the odds? Probabilities and observing tips may be found at http://spaceweather.com. A “Blue Moon” is the occurrence of a full moon twice in one calendar month. The moon Tuesday from the state boat ramp: Wednesday in Douglas: Wednesday from Torrey Road: Last night I heard the moon looked awesome from across the lake. Today we are overcast and snowy with no visibility. But it is happening! On Dec. 31st, the Blue Moon will dip into Earth’s shadow for a partial lunar eclipse. The event is visible from Europe, Africa and Asia. At maximum eclipse, around 19:24 Universal Time, approximately 8% of the Moon will be darkly shadowed. Click the link for an animated preview http://shadowandsubstance.com/ Blue Moons are rare (once every ~2.5 years). Blue Moons on New Year’s Eve are rarer still (once every ~19 years). How rare is a lunar eclipse of a Blue Moon on New Year’s Eve? …

He’s Jigging! Season’s First Ice Fisherman

Taken today from the state boat ramp in Sutton, we sighted a first ice fisherman of the season on Manchaug Pond! Also a report came in this morning of 0 degree F temperatures over on the Ledgestone side of the lake. Good for ice-making! As the ice forms, the lake is also making its loud “whale” sounds! Please be cautious! Consult the following link from MassWILDLIFE Division of Fisheries and Wildlife on Ice Strength & Safety Tips. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/ice_safety.htm Here’s a quick guide… 2″ STAY OFF!or less 4″ Ice fishing or other activities on foot 5″ Snowmobile or ATV

Temps in the Single Digits This Morning

The skim of ice that was forming on the lake was broken up by the three days of wind we have had. The following photos taken yesterday at the north end show the lake is clear. At the dam, the men from R. H. White continued the annual maintenance work – in the cold and wind. Today the wind has died down but morning temperatures have dropped from yesterday’s teens to the single digits. Was that 9 degrees F this morning? The ice is back today! This cove will benefit from the drawdown as it fills with an invasive weed called fanwort. http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/fanwort.htm http://www.mass.gov/dcr/watersupply/lakepond/publications.htm#factsheets

Activity at the Dam Today!

Here’s the post you’ve been waiting for…. The flow continues to take the waterlevel down exposing the stone face of the dam allowing the annual fall maintenance to begin! Three cheers for the dam owner! (Photo taken at lunch time. The crew will be back working for a few days.)

ACCESS DENIED – Today’s Telegram Article

This past spring, I have heard from two statewide groups that public access was their biggest upcoming issue. Check out today’s article appearing from in the Worcester Telegram… (click on to our post title to bring you to the site directly.)Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Access deniedCONTROVERSY OVER PUBLIC USE OF GREAT PONDS PictureRobert J. Kane of Clinton standing at the closed gate access to Wyman Pond in Westminster says he and others are gathering the required signatures for a petition demanding public access to the pond. (T&G Staff/RICK CINCLAIR) By Paula J. Owen CORRESPONDENT8 comments | Add a comment Hundreds of lakes and ponds on the state’s list of great ponds should be accessible, under law, to the public. But each year state and local governments — or private entities in their own interest — either limit or ban access to one pond or lake after another. Fishermen who have launched their boats at some great ponds for more than 50 years pull up one day to find a gate across the access road, some accompanied by a sign stating, “For residents only.” Lake associations of homeowners living on the shore, and sometimes communities themselves, say measures restricting public access …

As Joe tells us “The ice cometh!”

This photo was taken later in the day after that fiery sunrise. What did the morning warning bring? Higher temperatures that afternoon which melted a bit of the snow… but I hear cold weather is in the forecast.