Lunar Eclipse Question

[kewell_]

When the earth casts a shadow on the moon, why isnt it darker, I can still see the moon where is the light coming from? And why does the moon seem to get gradually darker rather than just being pitch black as soon as it is under shadow. When is the next Solar eclipse? thanks!

 

[usn_skwerl]

it doesn't get darker because the earth's atmosphere bends and refracts some of the light going through it.<br /><br />it gets darker gradually, because of the diameter of the sun, and the light rays coming from it. its the same principle of you holding your hand above your head, lookin at the shadow of it on the sidewalk; it's not a crisp shape, like you'd see if you held your hand a foot above the sidewalk.<br /><br />Someone else can advise you on the next solar eclipse. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[vogon13]

IIRC, moon is about 2000 miles across and moves relative to the shadow at ~2000 miles an hour.<br /><br />It takes time to get all the way in, and time to get all the way out.<br /><br /><br />Earth's atmosphere refracts light from sun towards moon. Moon is seeing simultaneously all the sunrises and sunsets right now.<br /><br /><br /><br />The view from the moon is spectacular, and no one has ever seen it.<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[usn_skwerl]

I'd honestly volunteer for the 6 day trip non-stop round trip with nothing more than a water bottle, just to save mass. <br /><br />edit: and a couple high quality cameras provided by NASA <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[keermalec]

Kewell: the Moon first enters the Earth's penumbra, where it is only partially shielded from the sun, before entering its umbra, where it is totally shielded from the sun. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>“An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.” John F. Kennedy</em></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

here is a list of upcoming solar eclipses (as well as recent ones).<br /><br />If you meant lunar eclipses, there will be a few partial ones before the next total lunar eclipse, which will be in December 2010. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[venator_3000]

Hello,<br /><br />The next solar eclipse will be August 1st this year. It will be a total eclipse if you live in an area from northern Canada across Greenland, the Arctic, central Russia, Mongolia, and China. <br /><br />This event will also feature a partial solar eclipse when viewed within the much broader path of the Moon's penumbra. This can be witnessed (weather dependent) in northeastern US and Canada, Europe and even Asia.<br /><br />v3k<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[3488]

Hi Vogon,<br /><br />Surveyor 3 imaged the Earth during a lunar eclipse here.<br /><br />The Earth had bright arcs within the sunlight scattered in the atmosphere.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[weeman]

Cool pics Andrew! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I'd probably give my left arm just to get the chance to witness a solar eclipse while standing on the surface of the Moon. <br /><br />I could certainly die happy after that. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><strong><font color="#ff0000">Techies: We do it in the dark. </font></strong></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>"Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That's relativity.</strong><strong>" -Albert Einstein </strong></font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Hi weeman,<br /><br />I too would love to see it.<br /><br />The reddish hue of the landscape.<br /><br />IIRC JAXA was to have imaged the Earth with SELENE / Kaguya during this morning's <br />eclipse with the HDTV.<br /><br />If so I hope they release the images soon.<br /><br />I have the full size Surveyor 3 Solar Eclipse from the moon image.<br /><br />Position of Earth & Sun from Surveyor 3's position on Monday 24th April 1967.<br /><br />From same location during this morning's eclipse. Thursday 21st February 2008.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>