Radiate_Truth
Joined: 18 Aug 2007
Posts: 1056
|
 Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:43 pm Post subject: Astronomers delight at total eclipse of the moon |
 |
|
Astronomers delight at total eclipse of the moon
28th August 2007, 14:30 WST
Views of tonight’s rare lunar eclipse have been hampered by heavy cloud in the Perth metropolitan area.
However views of the spectacular red moon have already been captured in the nation's east and New Zealand.
Send us your pictures of the lunar eclipse. SMS your images and video to 0402 228 221, or email newsonline@wanews.com.au
Did you catch the lunar eclipse? Have your say. Click here
The eclipse was due to start shortly before 6pm this evening, with the total eclipse visible until about 7.20pm when the moon leaves the earth’s shadow.
The eclipse was expected to turn the moon a vibrant copper colour and reports have rolled in of brilliant scenes around Australia, however so far Perth residents have missed out on the spectacular.
Perth Observatory’s Ralph Martin said the reason gazers could see the moon during the eclipse was because the sunlight was bent as it passed through the earth’s atmosphere, scattering the blue light and leaving only red colours visible.
Lunar eclipses usually occur twice a year but can happen up to three times.
The eclipse, visible to the naked eye anywhere in Australia, will begin at sunset when the earth, the sun and the moon fall into perfect alignment.
Although it will be a total eclipse the ring of light around the earth’s edge is enough to illuminate the moon’s surface.
Depending on the amount of dust in the earth’s atmosphere the surface will appear yellowish brown to blood red.
The next total lunar eclipse will not occur until December 2011.
Mr Martin said gazers can expect to see something of a copper colour.
“It’s certainly a sight to see, it’s something quite different,” Mr Martin said.
RACHEL DONKIN and PETA RULE
SOURCE
|
|
Astronomers delight at total eclipse of the moon
