Some years back we went out into the yard to view a major lunar eclipse. Our wooded street left us only a narrow strip through which to see the moon transform, and as the earth moved, so did our window to the heavens.

Gradually, we edged toward the curb, and neighbors on either side joined us. We brought out chairs and beverages to accompany the show. Soon, eight of us had planted ourselves in the street.

Though traffic was light and street does not go through, I brought a headlamp to flash should a car head toward us in the dark. Everyone else remained focused on sky.

From the opposite direction I expected, a car approached. A police car. Eight of us with an unauthorized block party in the deep blackness.

The officer pulled up. "What's going on?"

We realized then he had no idea. We pointed. "A complete lunar eclipse." He looked up. For a moment, he was silent. Then, he said, "Cool. Have a great night."

We might have been chastised for obstructing traffic. Instead the officer shared the moment with us and moved on. Was that a correct response? Is this how you'd expect a police officer to react in your neighborhood?