Lunar Total Eclipse Observations 2007 March 3/4

Fig 1: Early stages of the umbral phase, March 03, 21h 36m

Fig 2: Shortly after commencement of total phase, March 03, 22h 49m

Fig3: Well into total phase, March 03, 22h 55m

Fig4: Maximum eclipse, March 03, 23h 20m. The star to the left is 59 Leo mag. 5.0; the star to the right is 58 Leo mag. 6.0

Fig5: A wide angle view of the constellation Leo with the eclipsed Moon, March 03, 23h 25m

Fig6: Shortly after maximum eclipse, March 03, 23h 33m

Fig7: The umbral phase on the way out - the Moon appearing as if in its last quarter phase. March 04,  00h 35m

Fig.8 The end of the umbral phase, March 04, 01h 13m

From Rousay, the Moon rose into an almost clear sky on the evening of March 3.

At the commencement of the penumbral phase (20h 16m) cloud was beginning to build up from the west. Some high cirrus formed, engulfing the Moon from time to time.

A steady airflow from the west produced a variety of conditions from low cloud to higher, denser overcastting.

Cloud came and went throughout the period of the eclipse.

Approximately 20 minutes after maximum eclipse the sky clouded over completely and heavy rain fell for nearly 15 minutes.

In order to secure the images accompanying this text it was necessary to adopt a number of procedures.

The early stages of the eclipse were monitored through a 100mm f/9 altazimuth refractor. An equatorial 120mm f/7.5 apochromatic refractor was also used and set to drive at Lunar rate.

The latter was essential to enable relatively long exposures to be used during the total phase.

Around 160 images were obtained using both instruments throughout the course of the entire event (apart from the 20 minutes when it was raining) lasting over 6 hours.

The range of exposures used was from 1/000 seconds down to 8 seconds.

Close to maximum eclipse exposures had to be varied between 2 and 8 seconds, owing to the presence of low cloud.

Throughout totality there were very few occasions when the sky in the region of the Moon was perfectly clear.

An interesting wide-angle view of Leo with the eclipsed Moon was obtained at 23h 25m close to maximum eclipse.

Another interesting feature was the presence in the field of a range of stars.

With the Moon close to maximum eclipse it was possible to image stars close by to magnitude 12. This is not possible of course with a normal full moon.

This, fortunately, was a relatively bright eclipse. It is of course impossible to predict exactly how the Moon will appear during the period of totality.

Depending upon the state of the Earth’s atmosphere at the time the Moon at maximum eclipse can appear from dark grey to almost black, to pale orange.

I have seen lunar eclipses where the colour has been difficult to describe accurately.

This eclipse was certainly more of the darkish-orange than the coppery-bronze variety, as seen from Orkney at any rate. But even this varied throughout the eclipse, giving a quite bright orange effect at times.

The presence of light cloud must have influenced the overall appearance.

The minor planet Psyche (magnitude 10.3) was positioned a little over one arc degree above the Moon close to maximum eclipse.

Technical Data:

100mm refractor 45x imaged with Minolta F200 digital camera through the eyepiece.

120mm apochromatic refractor: Nikon D100 digital camera at the prime focus, shutter activated by cable.

Wide angle: Nikon D100 digital camera, 36mm f/2.8; 10 second exposure.

JV 4/03/07