Lunar eclipses occur when the earth comes between the sun and the moon. The one that occurred at the end of August this year was especially spectacular because the sun, earth, and moon were in almost perfect alignment. The eclipse was visible in its entirety only from the western United States, eastern Australia, and New Zealand.
The third international Solar Eclipse Conference was timed to coincide with the eclipse. It was held at the Griffith Observatory, which was great because we had not yet had a chance to visit it after its extensive renovation and expansion. It was also a great opportunity to meet up again with Fred and Pat Espenak (Mr. and Mrs. Eclipse) and Greg Buchwald (Mr. Eclipse Addict) from last year’s Libya trip.
After the conference we all went to Dave’s observatory at the Orange County Astronomers club’s Anza site, in the high desert about 15 miles northeast of Palomar Observatory. Although not as dramatic as a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is still an awesome sight, as the full moon goes from being an almost blinding bright white to a deep, dark red.
Dave still hasn’t processed all of the shots he took, but the one he did finish was published in the December issue of Sky and Telescope magazine. They made special note of the fact that he had actually used film instead of digital photography. He may be part of a dying breed, but Dave takes fantastic pictures!
Update 1406.12: Added article to newly created eclipse series