Total Lunar Eclipse of April 2014
By Grant Regen
Last month, astronomers all over North America had a fascinating gift: the total lunar eclipse of April 15th. While many people saw this event, some were left in the dark by clouds, a need for sleep, and other issues. This review is for all of the people who could not see the event and are still curious. In Southern California we had great weather for the eclipse and could document the whole cycle.
First Impressions
As soon as I set up my telescope and camera, I hurried inside to
By eleven the true eclipse started. A blanket of black silt seemed to build up around the edge of the moon. This blackness was caused by earth’s circular shadow, which could be distinguished when the moon was half covered. This section of the eclipse was new to me as I had never witnessed the whole eclipse: only totality. (A sequence of phases can be found on the following page.) Today partial and total lunar eclipses intrigue onlookers, but this was much different in the past.
In ancient times lunar eclipses,
It's the laws of physics that allow us to say exactly what time the sun is going to rise. What time the eclipse is going to begin. What time the eclipse is going to end.
- Neil Tyson
escape from the cold night. The horizon looked clear, and the full moon lit up the night. By ten the penumbra phase started. In my opinion this phase is a waste of time to view. There is almost no difference at all between the regular moon and a penumbra moon. Many news channels encouraged the public to start viewing during this bleak segment of the eclipse, which probably left many unsatisfied and determined to leave.
partial and total, were usually considered bad omens that would cause destruction to civilizations. In the March of 1504 lunar eclipse, Christopher Columbus used a predicted lunar eclipse to save his crew from hunger. While on his expedition of Jamaica, Natives gave the crew food continually. The generosity of the people ceased when crew members stole from the natives. Almost dead of hunger, Columbus saved himself and the
Review:
8 Science Bulletin, May-June 2014