Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.
2007 September 1
Kalamalka Lake Eclipse
Credit & Copyright: Yuichi Takasaka
Explanation: Recorded on August 28th, this serene total lunar eclipse sequence looks southwest down Kalamalka Lake toward the lights of Coldstream, British Columbia. An exposure every 4 minutes captured the Moon's position and eclipse phase, until the Moon set behind the town lights and a hill on the horizon. In fact, the sequence effectively measures the duration of the total phase of the eclipse. Around 270 BC, the Greek astronomer Aristarchus also measured the duration of lunar eclipses - though probably without the benefit of digital clocks and cameras. Still, using geometry, he devised a simple and impressively accurate way to calculate the Moon's distance, in terms of the radius of planet Earth, from the eclipse duration.
Tomorrow's picture: moon phase
I had heard it was going to happen but hadn't heard the time. I woke at 2 am and the radio was just saying how it was just starting! it took a full hour to fully eclipse the moon with the earth's shadow... and then another hour to come out of that... I walked to the store while the eclipse was happening so I could see it better. My backyard has big trees and neighbors have big trees!
it was a lovely sight. The stars were out. A friend mentioned that out in the country side (outside of town) the coyotes had been quiet and then set up an awfull howling with the eclipse! I think they were out dancing in the moonlight and the spotlight got turned off and they were none too happy about it!
Beth
ps... i was offline for a few but i'm, back!!!
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