Lunar Eclipse This Month!!!

[Speed]

So mark your calenders and get your camera's ready! October 27th is when it happens, and most of North America will be able to watch it (weather permitting).

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...cle_1340_1.asp

:-)

[Todd Patten]

I must ask. How does one photograph a lunar eclipse? I mean, isn't the moon gone from view?

[shesells]

lol good point Todd. heh I guess you catch different shots of it going. beats me

Kit

[Speed]

I must ask. How does one photograph a lunar eclipse? I mean, isn't the moon gone from view?

It's easy. All you need is a camera and a tripod. As long as your shutter speeds are fairly short (above a second), you shouldn't have any problems.

The moon will dim considerably during the eclipse, but it will be visible. It usually turns a dark red during a total eclipse as well. Makes for some stunning photo's.

Here are a few articles dealing with photographing an eclipse:

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...cle_1340_3.asp

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...ticle_89_1.asp

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...ticle_89_2.asp

http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...ticle_89_3.asp

[Todd Patten]

Speed -- you are too cool. I am going to give this a shot.

[Speed]

Speed -- you are too cool. I am going to give this a shot.

Please, spare me my blushes!

You know what a modest man I am. Just ask Nat!

;-)

Go for it. Use a manual mode (your meter will be worthless) and brackett. You may be surprised at how easy it is. And if you've got some decent real estate (read landscape) in your neck of the woods, then you've got the potential for some spectacular shots.

Can't wait to see what you get.

[walterick]

where the photog framed it looking up from the base of some skyscrapers with the moon multiple-exposed passing right down the center of the opening in the sky.

Very cool

Rick

[Speed]

where the photog framed it looking up from the base of some skyscrapers with the moon multiple-exposed passing right down the center of the opening in the sky.

Very cool

Rick

Now that sounds cool. I've seen landscape shots where they took a photo every five minutes (all on the same frame) so you had the entire eclipse on one frame. A shot like that over a mountain (or between skyscrapers) makes for a very interesting shot. I may try shooting a multiple exposure shot with the N80 while I shoot the K1000 through the telescope. We'll see.

Everyone read up on shooting the eclipse and get your camera's out the night of the 27th!

[Todd Patten]

Speed -- I am going to tap into your knowledge because I am too lazy to research this myself. Is there a chart/calendar available that indicates the following things:

1) The state of the moon
2) The time of the moon rise
3) The position of the moon for moon rise

Am I right in that the moon rises at a slightly different position -- unlike the sun? Or it consistent that it always rises in the same direction (east, west, north, south)?

Obviously, I did not pay attention in elementary school

[Speed]

Speed -- I am going to tap into your knowledge because I am too lazy to research this myself. Is there a chart/calendar available that indicates the following things:

1) The state of the moon
2) The time of the moon rise
3) The position of the moon for moon rise

Am I right in that the moon rises at a slightly different position -- unlike the sun? Or it consistent that it always rises in the same direction (east, west, north, south)?

Obviously, I did not pay attention in elementary school

There are several sources that list this information. My first stop is always www.skyandtelescope.com. On the left side of the home page, under the big Sky & Telescope logo, click on "Obversing", then "Sky at a Glance". It will list the phase of the moon in the list.

The U.S. Naval Observatory site lists the time of the moonrise/set for each day.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.html

If you get "Outdoor Photographer", they usually list where the sun and moon rises and sets. They give it in magnetic degrees. Just take a compass and look in that direction for that day, and that is where it will rise or set. This is particualy useful if you want to find a vantage point to shoot a sun or moon rise/set.

Last but not least, the sun and moon, both rise and set at different points every day. The moon usually moves by half a degree or so, but it does move. The sun doesn't move quite as much on a daily basis, but it does move some too. So pat yourself on the back, you are correct in that! Guess you paid better attention than you give yourself credit for. :-)