LazyLion
King of de Jungle
I dunno if this should go in the Science thread or what... but here it is anyway...
1. COUNTDOWN TO FEBRUARY 20/21 TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE…
Written by SA PLANETARIUM
21st February 2008: Total Eclipse of the Moon visible from all of South Africa (but we'll miss the Moon's recovery)
* 2:34am - the eclipse officially starts, but the Moon does not change shape visibly - it may dim slightly; this is the start of the penumbral phase
* 3:42am - the Moon starts moving into the dark part of the Earth's shadow, and changes shape noticeably
* 5:00am - the Moon is completely within the Earth's shadow, but will probably look slightly reddish; this is the start of totality
* 5:45am - Moon sets for Durban
* 5:50am - the Moon starts moving out of the Earth's shadow - totality has ended
* 6:01am - Moon sets for Johannesburg
* 6:33am - Moon sets for Cape Town
* 7:08am - the Moon appears to be fully recovered - back to full moon - but may be slightly dimmed
* 8:17am - the penumbral phase has ended, and the eclipse is officially over
Written by Tammy Plotner
From beginning to end, the February 20/21 lunar eclipse lasts about three hours and twenty-six minutes and we're down to less than 72 hours to prepare. While that seems like plenty of time, photographers will want to note that Saturn will be joining the eclipse show as well!
Although the separation will vary slightly with the observer's position on Earth, for most of us the bright, yellowish visage of Saturn will be less than 3 degrees away from the Moon's northern limb.
For those of you who enjoy photographing the night sky, this will be a tremendous opportunity to both capture an astronomy event and a conjunction at the same time! This type of event - when things interestingly align in the sky is also sometimes called an "appulse". For all we know, we could even be experiencing a syzygy!
Regardless of what word you want to put on it, it's definitely going to be a sight worth seeing. Let's take a look at where the action is happening!
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your observing area or your cameras. For those with camcorders, you have a great opportunity to video the entire event! Don't forget that cell phones take great images and even the most common camera can take a great shot of the eclipsed Moon when held to the eyepiece of a telescope. If you're timing the event, have your notes ready, and most of all… Have a good time!
http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php?photo=2649&cat=500
1. COUNTDOWN TO FEBRUARY 20/21 TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE…
Written by SA PLANETARIUM
21st February 2008: Total Eclipse of the Moon visible from all of South Africa (but we'll miss the Moon's recovery)
* 2:34am - the eclipse officially starts, but the Moon does not change shape visibly - it may dim slightly; this is the start of the penumbral phase
* 3:42am - the Moon starts moving into the dark part of the Earth's shadow, and changes shape noticeably
* 5:00am - the Moon is completely within the Earth's shadow, but will probably look slightly reddish; this is the start of totality
* 5:45am - Moon sets for Durban
* 5:50am - the Moon starts moving out of the Earth's shadow - totality has ended
* 6:01am - Moon sets for Johannesburg
* 6:33am - Moon sets for Cape Town
* 7:08am - the Moon appears to be fully recovered - back to full moon - but may be slightly dimmed
* 8:17am - the penumbral phase has ended, and the eclipse is officially over
Written by Tammy Plotner
From beginning to end, the February 20/21 lunar eclipse lasts about three hours and twenty-six minutes and we're down to less than 72 hours to prepare. While that seems like plenty of time, photographers will want to note that Saturn will be joining the eclipse show as well!
Although the separation will vary slightly with the observer's position on Earth, for most of us the bright, yellowish visage of Saturn will be less than 3 degrees away from the Moon's northern limb.
For those of you who enjoy photographing the night sky, this will be a tremendous opportunity to both capture an astronomy event and a conjunction at the same time! This type of event - when things interestingly align in the sky is also sometimes called an "appulse". For all we know, we could even be experiencing a syzygy!
Regardless of what word you want to put on it, it's definitely going to be a sight worth seeing. Let's take a look at where the action is happening!
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare your observing area or your cameras. For those with camcorders, you have a great opportunity to video the entire event! Don't forget that cell phones take great images and even the most common camera can take a great shot of the eclipsed Moon when held to the eyepiece of a telescope. If you're timing the event, have your notes ready, and most of all… Have a good time!
http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php?photo=2649&cat=500
