A Total Lunar Eclipse | March 14, 2025

Summary

In this engaging CNN 10 episode, KY Wire highlights various fascinating stories, from celebrating Pi Day and its connection to Albert Einstein, to explaining the science behind lunar eclipses and their red 'Blood Moon' appearance. The segment also covers groundbreaking engineering efforts like the world's longest submerged tunnel between Germany and Denmark, and a conservation project in Brazil to protect wildlife by connecting fragmented rainforests. The episode ends on a lighthearted note with a heartwarming story of a baby doll's rescue at the New England Aquarium, plus a shout-out to a high school in Louisiana.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3.14), honoring the mathematical constant Pi and also Albert Einstein's birthday.
• 🌑 A total lunar eclipse was visible across the Western Hemisphere, where Earth's shadow cast on the Moon. This is the darkest part of the shadow called the Umbra.
• 🌒 There are three types of lunar eclipses: penumbral, partial, and total. The total lunar eclipse causes the Moon to turn red, also known as a Blood Moon.
• 🌍 Not everyone can see a lunar eclipse at the same time. To view it, one must be in the area facing the Moon during its shadowing.
• 🚇 The first subaquatic tunnel ever built was the Thames Tunnel in the UK, constructed between 1825 and 1843.
• 🌍 A new tunnel connecting Denmark and Germany is under construction under the Baltic Sea, aiming to become the longest immersed tunnel in the world, facilitating car and train travel by 2029.
• 🌳 In Brazil, conservation efforts include building canopy bridges over highways to help tree-dwelling species, like primates, safely cross roads.
• 🌱 This conservation project in Brazil includes wildlife underpasses, fencing, and crossing signs to reduce road mortality among animals.
• 📸 Camera traps are being used to track the usage of canopy bridges and monitor how many animals cross them, helping to improve design and aid more species.
• 🐒 Brazil is the most biodiverse country in terms of primates, and this conservation work aims to make the country’s infrastructure more sustainable for wildlife.
• 🐬 A heartwarming rescue story from the New England Aquarium featured a baby doll named 'Baby,' which was retrieved from an uncovered tank, much to the relief of a young girl named Meline.

Q & A

What is Pi Day, and why is it celebrated?

Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14), representing the mathematical constant Pi (3.14), which is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. It's a day to celebrate mathematics, and it is recognized as the International Day of Mathematics by UNESCO. Additionally, Pi Day coincides with Albert Einstein's birthday.

What is a lunar eclipse, and how does it occur?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. A total lunar eclipse happens when the entire Moon falls within the Earth's darkest shadow, called the Umbra.

What are the different types of lunar eclipses?

There are three types of lunar eclipses: 1) Penumbral Eclipse, where the Moon passes through the Earth's lighter outer shadow (penumbra). 2) Partial Eclipse, where only part of the Moon is covered by the Earth's Umbra. 3) Total Lunar Eclipse, where the entire Moon passes into the Umbra and often appears red due to scattering of light.

Why does the Moon appear red during a total lunar eclipse?

The Moon appears red during a total lunar eclipse because the Earth's atmosphere scatters blue light, allowing only red light (which has longer wavelengths) to reach the Moon, giving it a red glow. This phenomenon is also called a 'Blood Moon.'

What is the significance of the subaquatic tunnel mentioned in the script?

The subaquatic tunnel mentioned in the script is the first tunnel ever built under the Thames River in London, known as the 'Thames Tunnel.' It was constructed between 1825 and 1843 and marked a significant engineering achievement.

What is the purpose of the under-construction tunnel connecting Denmark and Germany?

This tunnel, under construction beneath the Baltic Sea, will be the longest immersed tunnel in the world. It will connect Germany and Denmark, transforming European rail and road travel, and is expected to be completed by 2029.

What is the significance of the tunnel project being built under the Baltic Sea?

The tunnel project under the Baltic Sea is significant because it will become the longest immersed tunnel in the world. The tunnel will facilitate faster travel between Germany and Denmark, enhancing both road and rail connectivity across Europe.

What is the 'connector' project in Brazil, and how does it help wildlife?

The 'connector' project in Brazil aims to reconnect fragments of the Amazon rainforest separated by human-built infrastructure, such as highways. It achieves this by building canopy bridges that allow tree-dwelling animals like monkeys to safely cross roads, reducing road mortality.

What other measures, aside from canopy bridges, are being implemented in Brazil to protect wildlife?

Aside from canopy bridges, the project also includes wildlife underpasses, crossing signs, and wildlife fences to help animals safely navigate infrastructure and reduce road mortality.

What makes the baby doll rescue at the New England Aquarium so memorable?

The baby doll rescue at the New England Aquarium became memorable because a little girl dropped her doll into an uncovered tank, where it was swimming with turtles. The staff managed to safely retrieve and sanitize the doll, reuniting it with the girl, who was overjoyed.