Blue Moon Eclipse

[n2doc]

Blue Moon Eclipse
Credit & Copyright: Jean Paul Roux
Explanation: The International Year of Astronomy 2009 ended with a Blue Moon and a partial lunar eclipse, as the second Full Moon of December grazed the Earth's shadow on December 31st. The New Year's Eve Blue Moon eclipse was visible throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and parts of Alaska, captured in this two exposure composite in cloudy skies over Saint Bonnet de Mure, France. Playing across the Moon's southern reaches, the edge of Earth's umbra, or dark central shadow, appears on the right side along with the prominent ray crater Tycho. At maximum eclipse, the umbra covered only about 8 percent of the diameter of the lunar disk.
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100102.html

[tabatha]

1. What a gorgeous photo - thanks.

[jpak]

2. Wow!

:thumbsup:

[glowing]

3. It is beautiful.. Hopefully, it ushers in a good year for everyone worldwide.

[midnight]

4. I was out that night, and initially thought I was looking at a large lamp.

Then, I realized what I was looking at was the moon. It was close, and huge with a yellow glow. An amazing vision to behold.

[GreenStormCloud]

5. Two colors at once, so to speak.

In ancient times, an moon in eclipse was called a "blood moon" due to the color it took on during an eclispse.

In addition this was called a "blue moon". I don't know where the term originates but it refers to the second full moon in the same month. That happens once a year - usually.

So we had a blue moon and a blood (red) moon at the same time.

[hootinholler]

7. Is that a Royal Moon?

A Blue Blood Moon?

:rofl:

-Hoot

[n2doc]

6. Only happens 11 times per 1000 years

More pics at link
http://spaceweather.com/eclipses/gallery_31dec09_page2.htm

[omega minimo]

8. Recced. Thank you.

[Mira]

9. Look at this from our photo forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x66545

our own WannaJumpMyScooter has taken this incredible shot of that blue moon.
I hope he won't mind me posting this link, I did not ask him, so just don't tell, OK!