I was seated at my window at 5:30, telescope at the ready, binocs around my neck. Her Highness has so far been almost right on the minute, as predicted by astronomers.
As you all know from previous posts, I've been watching this incredible orb in it's full lunar eclipse for hours now. I saw it enter penumbra, and was so startled to see how quickly it became a mere slice. A small cloud of space-dust keeps trying to block her, but she'll have none of it! She continually pops back out in such incredibly blazing light it's one of the brightest I've seen, and I live in the city! o my...
It is now 8:10 PM UT. Exactly as predicted, save a minute.
She had already entered umbra and in a matter of a half hour, I watched her disappear from view completely. Within a very short span of time, she reappeared and started the reverse procedure, from a slice to a nearly three-quarter moon. I just can't over the speed of this event, compared to the length of time a solar eclipse takes to reach totality. As to which may be more stunning is impossible to gauge.
Excuse me, I want to check her progress.
Holy crapoli!! Luna has left her final penumbra and has managed to brighten even more fully, now about seven-eights size. Look how quickly she did that! Only moments ago it was 8:10! It's now 8:18. She'll revert back to full size around 9:24. And I'll be here ...
So now we wait and watch as she gradually enlightens herself to full and glorious size - if you put your thumb up against her visage, it will cover her. And yet - such a miracle to behold!
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11 comments:
beautiful shot!!
We have so much snow cloud overcast that it is not visible.
I'm glad I'm online to see your shot as it happens.
connie
Breathtaking picture. Isn't an eclipse a wonder to behold? Unfortunately this one took place during daylight in my part of the world. So I can only share it with pictures such as yours. Luckily, I have been fortunate enough to see them before and also share with a telescope. Not mine...but friends from my past who have owned the amazing scopes. They never cease to amaze me.
Have you ever been to our planetarium here in LA? It's an amazing place. You'd like it. Much to learn and see. If you ever make it out this way I'll take you there. Somehow, I think we'd have fun together there.
Pam
Cathy 2 Connie: Doesn't it make you realize how small we are in this universe? Yet we've managed to visit her, walk upon her dusty skin. This is a marvel.
Cathy 2 Pam: Don't forget you've got a great one visable on 8/27 in the west. Maybe I'll be coming out there by then! We'll enjoy this together, fellow "luna-loonies!" lol
My turn to be jealous now. All those wonderful woods and trees around my place that you mentioned, well....they kept the moon blocked until all this was over. :o( - Barbara
And it's very very cloudy and raining here in Florida. I was so looking forward to this. Love, Shelly
a very insightful piece of expression that kept me reading on and on and on. Fascinating though and feeling process. Not to sound glibly-but well done
Overcast sky eclipsed everything around here. Kind of like a celestial game of rock, paper, scissors except clouds always win. <grin>
Patrick
Wonderful view here in a chilly Scotland. No Cloud and a truly fascinating sight. Saw red orange and a tinted blue when fully eclipsed.
I feel so stupid now because on my way home I noticed that the moon was doing something crazy. I watched it all the way home the sky was clear and not cloudy, but it was still dusk. I kept thinking to myself the moon looks really weird today very pretty. I even commented on it when I got home because I was gonna take my grandson outside to see it, but he was asleep. I told my daughter it looked like there was a light on the one side of the moon. Didn't know we were supposed to have an eclipse? But doesn't matter I saw it and you're right it was beautiful. Mother nature does amaze me. Thanks for the link. I'm new here and I'll try to come back. My journals are private, but if you would like to be added I would be glad to add you.
Take care, Chrissie
http://journals.aol.com/nana0014/ALMOSTParadise/
and
My brother pointed it out to me last night when we were going to pick up some burgers from this great burger place. The moon was so gorgeous...
= ) Luann
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