10-07-2014, 08:05 PM
Just went outside and see a half-moon with the dark side already showing signs of turning red. This might be quite spectacular. I just don't know if I can stay awake for the full eclipse.
There are high clouds which aren't helping, but the timing of this lunar eclipse means the moon is very high in the sky, so if the high clouds do continue to be a problem they are less likely to block the view of the moon (we're looking through much less atmosphere). The other thing it brought to mind is why I became an astronomer. A dark(ish) sky with no street lights and a need to understand what's happening in the sky. I only ever saw that once before moving here, in the mountains of Wales. Right now the sun is virtually below our feet, albeit 90-odd million miles away, but these events always make me think of our planet and where it fits in with everything else that's around us.
If anyone is still awake, go out and have a look.
There are high clouds which aren't helping, but the timing of this lunar eclipse means the moon is very high in the sky, so if the high clouds do continue to be a problem they are less likely to block the view of the moon (we're looking through much less atmosphere). The other thing it brought to mind is why I became an astronomer. A dark(ish) sky with no street lights and a need to understand what's happening in the sky. I only ever saw that once before moving here, in the mountains of Wales. Right now the sun is virtually below our feet, albeit 90-odd million miles away, but these events always make me think of our planet and where it fits in with everything else that's around us.
If anyone is still awake, go out and have a look.