Lunar Eclipse

Date: 4 March 2007 U.T.
Time: 1:03 - 1:26 U.T.
Telescope: 102mm SCT
Magnification: 34x
Seeing: Bad
NELM: Bright Twilight
Temperature: +37 F (+ 3 C)

The rising Moon was spotted in the trees at 1:03 U.T. -- just nine minutes before the end of the umbral phase of the eclipse. The Earth's shadow along the Moon's eastern limb was obvious in the telescope as well as to the unaided eye.

The seeing was very unsteady. Rapidly moving undulations were in constant motion along the limb as well as over the face of the Moon.

Colors: The Moon was a golden, yellow-orange color outside the umbra. No colors other than shades of gray were noticed near and within the umbra.

Observational Highlights: As occasionally happens in this hobby, I started out with the objective of observing one thing (the final phase of an eclipse) and ended up with a bit more. Due to atmospheric refraction the rising Moon appeared noticeably 'squished'. It appeared shorter along its vertical axis than along its horizontal axis. But of greater interest were the colors (due to atmospheric refraction) hugging the lunar limb. From top to bottom along the lunar limb the colors were: blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. As the Moon rose higher in the sky these colors became less noticeable.

The Penumbra and Clouds: An attempt was made to observe how long the Earth's penumbra could be positively distinguished on the Moon after the umbral phase of the eclipse had ended. Unfortunately, at 1:25:30 U.T. a thin cloud began covering the Moon. Up until that point in time it was possible to distinguish (with telescope as well as with the unaided eye) the effect of the penumbra of the Earth's shadow on the Moon. It seemed ill-advised to continue the observation with the complicating effect of clouds.