This was the last total Lunar eclipse until 14 March 2025. I got out early and took my time. Other snapshots have gone better.
These were taken with an iPhone 11 on a Celestron NexYZ adapter connected to an Explore Scientific 102 mm f/6.47 refractor with a Nagler 32-mm Plössl ocular at 20X. Snapshots with an iPhone 5 did not go well this time. I also relied on a Celestron 32-mm eyepiece. For both, the Neutral Density Filters (“Moon Filters”) were from Celestron. These are the best of 45 tries.
 |
| Snapshot 1 just before 50% in the penumbra. |
I got out at 1:00 AM CST for the 2:00 AM start and set-up went well. I made time to observe naked eye and through the telescope between exchanges of attachments. At 4:50, I stopped adjusting the hardware and only observed.
The photographs do not represent the image captured by the eye. Naked eye, the Moon was never completely dark. Totality did not look like this. Also, the color was never a full startling red, only a dusky red-gray.
 |
| Snapshot 38 close to 50% in the penumbra. |
As the Moon passed 50% into the penumbra, darkness brought out the stars, about 150 in all including the Hyades and Gemini. Through the telescope, I viewed Messier 42, Messier 41, and the Pleiades. Mars was high in the west and even at 20X the sky was clear enough and dark enough to show surface markings on the planet. Predicted clouds arrived at 5:20 AM.
 |
| The fans kept the dew off. Dew point and ambient were close all morning. |
Also, as soon as it got noticeably dark, the world got quiet. Past 50%, I do not recall hearing an emergency vehicle siren for the remainder of the morning.
PREVIOUSLY ON NECESSARY FACTS
Observing with NASA: An Open Platform for Citizen Science
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.