Lunar Eclipse - 10/27

by Kameshwar Eranki

Weather - Low clouds were there on Eastern horizon. So could not see the Penumbra (Immersion of craters) until 7:10pm. But the sky cleared up. Then it was all clear sky. Viewing was excellent.

7:10pm - Immersion of craters (into shadow) was in progress. Mare Tranquilitatis was in shadow and it slowly covered Mare Crisium, then Mare Undarum and then entire moon.

7:23pm - Total eclipse started.

Moon became darker and darker. Was able to identify the mare's, and Tycho crater. Took several pictures of the eclipsed moon. Tawny red (semi dark Tea color) color. It looked awesome.

Used my 2 scopes - 8 inch Celestron SCT, and 4 inch Reflecting telescope. Took photographs from both the scopes.

Mid eclipse was at 8:04pm (Referred to the SJAA sheet that Mike had sent. It was very handy). Made my computations for Fremont also.

Total eclipse went on till about 8:40pm. Then on Northern side of moon (right above Plato), it started becoming brighter and then it started emerging from the shadow. The shadow started moving out Grimaldi, Copernicus, and then to Mare Serenitatis, Mare Tranquilitatis (Manelaus), Mare Crisium (Proclus) and then entire shadow was gone and full moon emerged.

It was my first Lunar eclipse observation and was a great experience.

Others who enjoyed observing: Nagamani (my wife), Karthik, Maheswari, Srujana, Kaavya, Surya, Susmitha, Pradeep, Chaaru.

Posted on sf-bay-tac Oct 28, 2004 10:00:20 PT
Converted by report.pm 1.2 Jan 16, 2005 08:14:12 PT