Thursday, February 21, 2008

Lunar Eclipse 02-20-2008












I had the pleasure of viewing a Lunar Eclipse on Wednesday February 20th. It was a miracle we in Northern Virginia were able to see it. Snow was falling until 7:00PM. I was shocked to see the skies clear off so quickly, but who am I to complain.


I scurried around to deploy my telescope and tripod and readied myself for my first Lunar Eclipse as a backyard astronomer.
I drove my family crazy running in and out snapping pictures of the eclipse during commercial breaks while watching American Idol.


I initially had trouble focusing the camera on the telescope, but eventually figured it out. I have a new telescope (an Orion 80mm ED OTA with a SkyView PRO Equatorial mount) and was unfamiliar with it.


Some pictures were taken using a camera on a tripod, but a majority were taken the camera attached to the telescope. I froze my bottom off, but had fun taking the pictures and enjoying a lunar eclipse that wasn't in the middle of the night.


Enjoy the pictures.


StarPilot

P.S. - After the skies clear this weekend I'll have my new telescope back out learning how to use it. Soooooooo, hopefully there will be many more descent quality pictures of celestial objects to follow.


7 comments:

juju said...

My goodness. What beautiful pictures. I mailed Peter and told him how I was running in and out of work to watch. But I knew you would have an outstanding view. Very beautiful.
Your Sis

Catlin Humes said...

awesome pictures. Totally worth freezing your bottom off to get.

Kellan said...

WOW - those are wonderful pictures - thanks so much for sharing them. Here at my house is was so cloudy we couldn't see a thing.

Have a good weekend - Kellan

Mr Farty said...

Lovely photos, thanks!

Dee said...

your pictures were just great! Good job!
Dee

mindi said...

Wow, those are great!!

dakotas-nana said...

Hey Starpilot! Those are absolutely fabulous! I was able to see the entire lunar with clear skies, and my naked eye, but your view put mine to shame! Thanks so much for sharing! Your other sis!