My friend John Cara sent me this morning a most spectacular photo of the “Lunar Eclipse.”
Lunar eclipses can only occur during a ‘Full moon’ phase.
Because the Earth casts a shadow larger than the apparent diameter of the moon and Earth’s illuminated atmosphere extends beyond it’s surface, even ‘total’ Lunar eclipses have areas of greater and lesser shadows. The Earth casts it’s central shadow, which is darkest, in a confined area, while it’s partial shadow is cast over a more extended area. Most ‘total’ eclipses of the moon have parts of the lunar surface covered in only the partial shadow of Earth so parts of the moon appear considerably brighter than other parts.
The Earth’s atmosphere casts ‘Earthshine’ which will further illuminate the moon to some extent even during a total lunar eclipse.
On these occasions, “Rays”, the lines radiating from major lunar craters are best illuminated and provide striking detail to the observer.
Such was the case last night! – © Photo by John Cara (2/20/08 – Evanston, IL USA)
Using a Canon 20D digital SLR camera and a C-8 telescope and f: 6.3 reducer/corrector operating at 1280 mm.
“We all shine on…like the moon and the stars and the sun…we all shine on…come on and on and on…”
― John Lennon
thank you for the moon picture. I have a friend that is a moon collector. Every night he takes a picture of the moon. Did you know the moon is female?
Absolutely NO words for the beauty of this!
Lisa
I really appreciate your productivity. I really love your most recent Las Botanicas entry, “Touching.”
I can relate to “Vespertina” trying to fly, caught in the rectangle.
Margaret
I’m disappointed that I could not see the moon that evening -I had made plans but the clouds got in the way. :< Beautiful photo!
here from IMT ~what a lovely image ! ELK
Wow!
So beautiful, thanks for sharing.
This is a beautiful picture of the moon. Very lovely entry!
i enjoyed this post. hugs.
that’s such a beautiful photo, I love lunar eclipses, there’s something magical about them
What an extraordinary image!
WOW that is an AMAZING photo!!