FYI Lunar Eclipse

**Dirk Skene** · 21st February 08, 07:50 AM

I spent many years as an avid amature astronomer. Now I hardly see the night sky

**Ozman1944** · 21st February 08, 07:57 AM

Enjoyed it very much; When I was a kid, we had an eclipse soon after the movie "When World Collide". The red moon looked so much like the rogue planet in the movie, my granny had to keep reassuring me that it was indeed the moon I was nervously looking at.
We won't see another eclipse for three years or so. I always find Lunar eclipses awesome. Solar eclipses are too short in duration, don't know why the good Lord even bothers....

**auld argonian** · 21st February 08, 07:58 AM

Let's see if this'll post...bear in mind that this was done with a new camera...an Olympus 550UZ and I had to go into the digital end of the zoom range so it's not exactly an astronomical image but pretty good for what it is.

The cheap telescope worked remarkably well...it was one of those Meade 60AZ-T's that I picked up at a clearance store for $10 new. I had been eyeballing the 70AZ-T as something that I could toss in with the camping gear and let the kids mess with but this one was there and cheap. Pretty good image and pretty good contrast for an el-cheapo.

Best

AA

**Faithkeeper_2000** · 21st February 08, 08:03 AM

cool picture, wasn't able to view due the cloud coverage in Longmont, CO

**auld argonian** · 21st February 08, 08:06 AM

Just as an aside, my daughter pointed out that Saturn was right near the moon at about 225 degrees and she made a point of getting it into the sights of that el-cheapo scope...and it just so happens that Saturn is on a good angle and she actually managed to spot it, rings and all. She was thrilled. There it was; tiny but very obviously the ringed planet. It should still be in about the same position tonight so give it a shot if you're so inclined.

Best

AA

**Maclachlan** · 21st February 08, 10:12 AM

The kids and I watched as the Earthed moved accross the face of the moon as it was rising over a snow capped Mt McLoughlin and Medford, Oregon. What a sight!