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Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse

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It's just started - and where I am there is a perfect cloudless night with which to observe it.
The moon will gradually turn red as the light from the sun gets filtered through the atmosphere of the Earth.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6411991.stm

"Skywatchers eagerly awaiting Saturday's total lunar eclipse say that the spectacle could be the 'best in years'."

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Originally posted by orangutan
It's just started - and where I am there is a perfect cloudless night with which to observe it.
The moon will gradually turn red as the light from the sun gets filtered through the atmosphere of the Earth.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6411991.stm

"Skywatchers eagerly awaiting Saturday's total lunar eclipse say that the spectacle could be the 'best in years'."
I just went outside and looked at it, there is a nice, clear sky too; it is still white, there appeared to be dark area to the bottom left of the moon and I saw a blue ring around it: can't explain that one. 😕

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Originally posted by Bad wolf
I just went outside and looked at it, there is a nice, clear sky too; it is still white, there appeared to be dark area to the bottom left of the moon and I saw a blue ring around it: can't explain that one. 😕
I've just been to look, it's really clear here too. 🙂

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Its all cloudy where I am, but sunset is still a few ours away.

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Originally posted by LanndonKane
Its all cloudy where I am, but sunset is still a few ours away.
I'm on east coast UK and it's a perfect night sky for this.

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We're still waiting here in Rhode Island, but the clouds are rolling in. 😞 The eclipse will be underway when a red moon rises here at 5:30pm (10:30pm in UK). Fingers crossed. 🙂

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Clouded here, too, but I am watching it here:
http://www3.mira.be/maansverduistering-070303/lunar-eclipse-070303.html
Also here, but it just got cloudy there:
http://www.vds-astro.de/astroaktuell/2007/Mondfinsternis/live/Mondfinsternis-live.htm

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Originally posted by Pawn Qween
I'm on east coast UK and it's a perfect night sky for this.
Me too.
And yes, it is beautiful. It makes you realise both your significance, and your insignificance.

I like that 🙂

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Originally posted by Pawn Qween
I've just been to look, it's really clear here too. 🙂
Now I can see only half the moon, only that this is overlapped by a darker version dropped down a bit, 2 different coloured top halves, but no bottom half. 😕

The only constellation I recognised was that one shaped like a plough.

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Originally posted by Bad wolf
The only constellation I recognised was that one shaped like a plough.
Ursa Major (The Big Dipper)

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I could probably hazard a guess. I was a scientist once after all, but if I may share my ignorance - why does the moon appear red?

Obviously to do with the earth cutting out direct sunlight, but not sure in scientific terms why we see red?

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That is easily the most beautiful thing I've seen in ages.
I've got a 40x scope on a tripod - never seen the moon so clearly.

From top to bottom right now it goes from bright white (fading quickly) to deep red ochre -

awesome.

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Originally posted by HandyAndy
Ursa Major (The Big Dipper)
Ah.

I think I may have seen Ursa Minor as well.

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Originally posted by orangutan
That is easily the most beautiful thing I've seen in ages.
I've got a 40x scope on a tripod - never seen the moon so clearly.

From top to bottom right now it goes from bright white (fading quickly) to deep red ochre -

awesome.
Can you take some pictures?

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Originally posted by Bad wolf
Can you take some pictures?
Not through the scope 🙁

I'll see what the camera on it's own can up with ... (no promises as to quality)