Lunar Eclipse
Last night marked the first full Lunar Eclipse in about 4 years.
I saw the partial eclipse a year or two ago - and while impressive, it really only looked like something you see any old night of the week - it had the appearance of a half Moon, or quarter-Moon.. that ‘banana’ effect over a white Moon.
Last night’s full eclipse was far more spectacular.
The shadow of the Earth began covering the Moon just after 6pm. The transformation took well over an hour from shadow to complete eclipse. Incredibly, as the shadow passes over the Moon, it gives off a red hue, the Moon appearing a deep orange-red.. almost earthen colour. It’s like staring right at planet Mars (which has suddenly gotten so much closer to Earth).
Truly an incredible sight. And this was no brief encounter either - the ‘red’ phase lasting close to two hours before it all peeled away, the shadow began passing and the Moon returned to its full, bright, white, normal self.
It was yet another time when I truly missed my camera! (Though thinking about it, I’m not sure my measly 200mm lens would have done it terribly great justice anyway).
Luckily, Smurfn was on deck, armed with his lovely big Canon 100-400L lens which did justice to a truly awesome event.
Check his photos out on his Flickr, HERE.
becca3003 said,
August 30, 2007 @ 5:30 am
Loving Smurfs pics! Shame you weren’t able to get any!
Would have been great to have seen that, but like you said we wouldn’t have had the chance to see it and I didn’t have a clue there was one!
Still can’t believe that when you described what it looked like I thought you were talking about a mars bar in the sky - so blonde!
ScottyB said,
August 30, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Yeah, he got some great shots!
I guess it didn’t get much coverage over there because it was over by the time you woke up! 
PMSL I know.. I guess I should have been more specific.. obviously Mars Bars in the sky are a rare occurrence in the UK. Had I known this startling fact, I’d have specified that it was, indeed, the planet I was referring to
Kate said,
August 31, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Was soo amazing huh. You really feel your size when you see something that big happen so far beyond you.
Jasons photos are unreal! They are really beautiful. They did the night justice. Would have been a great night for you. Now we only need to wait till 2011 for the next one!!
ScottyB said,
September 2, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Pretty incredible I have to say. And with any luck I’ll have a camera for the next one in 2011