03 Mar 07
Originally posted by PolicestateBefore the eclipse is total, the last rays from the sun reaching the moon are refracted (bent) as they move through earth's atmosphere. The result is a reddish hue on the moon's surface as seen from here.
Asked this question in the thread titled Eclipse. Can anyone explain the science?
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03 Mar 07
Originally posted by PolicestateEssentially when there is a lunar eclipse no light from the sun reaches the moon directly because the earth is blocking it, so the light that refracts around the earth's atmosphere is only part that gets to the moon.
Asked this question in the thread titled Eclipse. Can anyone explain the science?
I would surmise that this changes the wavelength or only allows light of certain wavelength to get through.
03 Mar 07
Originally posted by Bad wolfYes I seem to remember that light towards the red end of the spectrum refracts more, due to its longer wavelength.
Essentially when there is a lunar eclipse no light from the sun reaches the moon directly because the earth is blocking it, so the light that refracts around the earth's atmosphere is only part that gets to the moon.
I would surmise that this changes the wavelength or only allows light of certain wavelength to get through.
Thanks people
03 Mar 07
Originally posted by PolicestateEarth's atmosphere filters out most of the blue light.. what reaches the moon is the red light that remains. Dust and clouds in the Earth's atmosphere also are factors.
Yes I seem to remember that light towards the red end of the spectrum refracts more, due to its longer wavelength.
Thanks people
03 Mar 07
Originally posted by HandyAndyAnd the light we are seeing has been 'double filtered' for that special red eclipse effect. Once on the way to the moon from the sun, and again on the way to our eyes.
Earth's atmosphere filters out most of the blue light.. what reaches the moon is the red light that remains. Dust and clouds in the Earth's atmosphere also are factors.
Nice effect.
05 Mar 07
Originally posted by Bad wolfAnd, vice versily speaking, if the earth did not have an atmosphere, during the same lunar eclipse, the moon would be totally dark since none of the light normally refracted by the thick earth atmosphere would ever get to the moon, it would be totally black for a few hours.
Essentially when there is a lunar eclipse no light from the sun reaches the moon directly because the earth is blocking it, so the light that refracts around the earth's atmosphere is only part that gets to the moon.
I would surmise that this changes the wavelength or only allows light of certain wavelength to get through.
05 Mar 07
Originally posted by orangutanthe more recently a major volccanic eruption has happened the more red the moon, suggesting that increased dust in the stratosphere increases the filtration of blue light. There haven't been any major volcanos go off recently, so the moon was more a orange than a deep red.
And the light we are seeing has been 'double filtered' for that special red eclipse effect. Once on the way to the moon from the sun, and again on the way to our eyes.
Nice effect.