TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE: 8/10/2014 (from 7:45-11:55 pm. Adelaide Time): My photographic compilation of the lunar show! The evening started off cloudy, but fortunately the clouds dissipated and I managed to get some excellent shots!
Total lunar eclipses explained
The Moon does not have its own light, but shines because its surface reflects the Sun’s rays. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow blocks all the Sun’s light from directly reaching the Moon’s surface.
Lunar eclipse
Eclipses of the Moon happen when the Sun, Earth and Moon are aligned to form an almost or exact straight line. The technical term for this is syzygy, which comes from the Greek word for being paired together.
Why does the Moon look Red?
The Earth’s atmosphere, removes or blocks parts of the sunlight’s spectrum leaving only the longer wavelengths. Because of this, a totally eclipsed Moon usually looks red.
Eclipses in different colors
A lunar eclipse can also be yellow, orange, or brown in color. This is because different types of dust particles and clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere allow different wavelengths to reach the surface of the Moon.
Stages of a total lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse usually happens within a few hours. Totality can range anywhere from a few seconds to about 100 minutes.
There are 7 stages of a total lunar eclipse:
- Penumbral eclipse begins: This begins when the penumbral part of Earth’s shadow starts moving over the Moon. This phase is not easily seen by the naked eye.
- Partial eclipse begins: The Earth’s umbra starts covering the Moon, making the eclipse more visible.
- Total eclipse begins: Earth’s umbra completely covers the Moon and the Moon is red, brown or yellow in color.
- Maximum eclipse: This is the middle of the total eclipse.
- Total eclipse ends: At this stage, the Earth’s umbra starts moving away from the Moon’s surface.
- Partial eclipse ends: The Earth’s umbra completely leaves the Moon’s surface.
- Penumbral eclipse ends: At this point the eclipse ends and the Earth’s shadow completely moves away from the Moon.
For more information about Total Lunar Eclipses click here: http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/total-lunar-eclipse.html
Thanks for the photo compilation, Bridget – a beautiful way to ‘see’ the eclipse if it wasn’t visible where we are (or were, since it’s past). The energies around the eclipse were intense!
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Thanks Jamie! It gives a new look from conventional photos of the eclipse, as it shows the transition from red to white moon a little more lucidly. Yes, energies are intense, getting lots of work done! :).
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Thanks for sharing the image, Bridget 🙂
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You are welcome Eiry! 🙂
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I think this is Amazing Bridget ! Well done! Isn’t the moon awesome,
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Thank you so much. Yes, the moon is awesome! MOOOOON….
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WELL DONE! Great compilation! Very nice set of images completely describing the Lunar eclipse with authentic supporting text. This is the first time I saw the images of copper colored moon during its eclipse! Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you so much Barry. I was so blessed to experience most of the eclipse under clear skies. It was magnificent! I am so glad that I can share these images with others! If you want to catch the next Blood Moon, it will occur on April 4, 2015, and then again on September 28, 2015. If you miss those 2 you’ll have to wait another 12 years! :
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Great capture! I love that you showed all the stages side by side. It tells a great story, & it’s a very creative take on the eclipse!
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Thank you so much Rena. I had fun thinking up a new format!
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