kiteJoined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:15 pm
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Thanks Duques and Deefstes for help on Lunar eclipse coming up.
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| Upcoming Eclipses |
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kite Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:15 pm Posts: 509
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| Fri Jun 03, 2011 11:50 am |
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Thanks Duques and Deefstes for help on Lunar eclipse coming up.
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| Re: Upcoming Eclipses |
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onewithnature Distinguished Virtual Ranger Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:22 am Posts: 19076 Location: Midway between the infinite and the infinitesimal!
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:02 am |
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Thanks DuQues and Deefstes.
It's going to be one fantastic astronomical show tonight, with no need to book special tickets. Just get out of the city if you can, take with a ton of blankets, and snap some pics.Tonight's total lunar eclipse - when the Moon is completely submersed in the Earth's shadow - is a relatively rare event, mainly because the the centre point of Earth's shadow is on the Moon's disc. The next so-called central total lunar eclipse will only be on July 27, 2018! So take advantage of the situation and go check it out with all the gasps and groans you can muster.  Being winter, the skies are clearer, which makes for more spectacular viewing. |
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michel367 Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:44 am Posts: 5226 Location: On the edge of heaven 
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:05 am |
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I will be viewing it from a very dark spot (no light pollution) in Phalaborwa tonight.
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JenB Moderator Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:41 pm Posts: 17341 Location: Johannesburg - where they cut down trees and name streets after them.
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:15 am |
 I wish I could have been there!  |
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michel367 Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:44 am Posts: 5226 Location: On the edge of heaven
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:17 am |
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I have got room for one more passenger Jen.
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onewithnature Distinguished Virtual Ranger Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:22 am Posts: 19076 Location: Midway between the infinite and the infinitesimal!
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:28 am |
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I'm going out to the Magaliesburg - should be tops with the mountains around.
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JenB Moderator Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:41 pm Posts: 17341 Location: Johannesburg - where they cut down trees and name streets after them.
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 9:42 am |
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Awe thanx Michel, I wish....
 I'm a total eclipse junkie, there is just something spiritual about it which makes one feel so insignificant.  |
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deefstes Senior Virtual Ranger Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:43 pm Posts: 764 Location: Jo'burg
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 10:49 am |
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onewithnature wrote [color=#4000FF]Just get out of the city if you can, take with a ton of blankets, and snap some pics. I plan on following the exact opposite approach  I identified a nice building in Sandton (the tall RMB building) and did an insane amount of math to calculate a good position from where to photograph the eclipse with the building in the foreground. Armed with my calculations of azimuth, elevation angle, height of building and a compass, I went out there last night when the moon was at the position it should be in tonight at full eclipese and checked it out. I'm hesitant to be too confident but I think it might work. Tonight is the big night. Hopefully by tomorrow I can show off the fruits of my labour One great thing about lunar eclipses, unlike other celestial viewing, is that it doesn't exactly require a completely unpolluted night sky and it can be viewed from a city just fine. Oh, another great thing about lunar eclipses, as opposed to a solar eclipse, is that they are slow and last fairly long (especially this particular one). This gives you enough time to observe it. Oh, and one more great thing about lunar eclipses is that they can be viewed and photographed without special filters and fancy equipment. Have fun tonight! |
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onewithnature Distinguished Virtual Ranger Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:22 am Posts: 19076 Location: Midway between the infinite and the infinitesimal!
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 4:52 pm |
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Well, Deefstes, I suppose being on a tall building means you will be closer to the eclipse than most others - which may mean better viewing?
 But seriously, I agree with you - if you've done all those calculations, I'm sure your angle of perspective and background silhouettes are going to be tops. Looking forward to seeing your photographs on this thread! But, till then, I'll be looking for a small figure atop the RMB building.  Yes, an unpolluted sky is not essential when viewing lunar eclipses, however, the eerie orangey glow that goes with the penumbral phase of the eclipse may be more difficult to appreciate with bright city lights around. Then again, by the time the eclipse is at its peak, the moon will be pretty high in the sky, and hence high above the buildings and lights. So, after much contemplation, I think I may pop into the Magaliesburg, or if it's too cold, I'll simply take my chances on a koppie in Jo'burg, armed only with binoculars and excitement. Now to find a safe koppie, if one exists.  Enjoy the spectacle, mites. |
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deefstes Senior Virtual Ranger Joined: Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:43 pm Posts: 764 Location: Jo'burg
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 5:03 pm |
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Oh no, I won't be on the RMB building
I plan to be firmly rooted on terra firma and snap pictures of the eclipse with the RMB building in the foreground.You're quite right of course, the penumbral eclipse will most definitely not be visible from a city viewpoint, for that you would need a dark, unpoluted area. I'm just banking on catching the umbral and total eclipse. |
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onewithnature Distinguished Virtual Ranger Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:22 am Posts: 19076 Location: Midway between the infinite and the infinitesimal!
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:24 pm |
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Of course we will be seeing the full spectacle in Jo'burg!
I see the gorgeous full moon rising over the rooftops, perfectly positioned next to a large tree. Low light pollution, so I'm staying at home. The mare clearly visible - and spectacular - through binocs. An hour before the eclipse begins proper ... |
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MATTHYS Moderator Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 12:30 am Posts: 33992 Location: Worcester, South Africa
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 6:44 pm |
 Enjoy and treasure all of you that are able to experience this.Not to be seen here.  |
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oddesy Virtual Ranger Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:57 pm Posts: 3426 Location: Randburg, SA
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:26 pm |
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Have an awesome view from my house
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onewithnature Distinguished Virtual Ranger Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 5:22 am Posts: 19076 Location: Midway between the infinite and the infinitesimal!
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:32 pm |
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Me too, Oddesy.
Why can't you see it, Matthys? Where are you? |
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JenB Moderator Joined: Sun Oct 07, 2007 1:41 pm Posts: 17341 Location: Johannesburg - where they cut down trees and name streets after them.
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| Wed Jun 15, 2011 8:42 pm |
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Oh, it's beautiful!
I wish I could switch off the city lights and sounds tho.  |
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