Man of Honour
Today's pic is of a lunar eclipse. Clouds permitting, a lunar eclipse should be visible in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Credit: DCATT Team, MSX Project, BMDO
Eclipsed Moon in Infrared
Explanation: The total lunar eclipse of September 1996 disappointed many observers in North America who were cursed with cloudy skies. However, the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) satellite had a spectacular view from Earth orbit and SPIRIT III, an on board infrared telescope, was used to repeatedly image the moon during the eclipse. Above is one of the images taken during the 70 minute totality, the Moon completely immersed in the Earth's shadow. Infrared light has wavelengths longer than visible light - humans can not see it but feel it as heat. The bright spots correspond to the warm areas on the lunar surface, dark areas are cooler. The brightest spot below and left of center is the crater Tycho, the dark region at the upper right is the Mare Crisium. The series of SPIRIT III images allow the determination of cooling rates for geologically different areas, exploring the physical properties of the Moon's surface.
Tonight's Lunar eclipse: Times | Webcast | Webcast | Photo Tips
Totality begins at 1:06 Universal Time, November 9 (8:06pm EST Nov. 8).
Additional details of tonight's eclipse can be found on BBC News
Previous Pic Of The Day posts
26th Sep 03
24th Sep 03
17th Sep 03
Credit: DCATT Team, MSX Project, BMDO
Eclipsed Moon in Infrared
Explanation: The total lunar eclipse of September 1996 disappointed many observers in North America who were cursed with cloudy skies. However, the Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) satellite had a spectacular view from Earth orbit and SPIRIT III, an on board infrared telescope, was used to repeatedly image the moon during the eclipse. Above is one of the images taken during the 70 minute totality, the Moon completely immersed in the Earth's shadow. Infrared light has wavelengths longer than visible light - humans can not see it but feel it as heat. The bright spots correspond to the warm areas on the lunar surface, dark areas are cooler. The brightest spot below and left of center is the crater Tycho, the dark region at the upper right is the Mare Crisium. The series of SPIRIT III images allow the determination of cooling rates for geologically different areas, exploring the physical properties of the Moon's surface.
Tonight's Lunar eclipse: Times | Webcast | Webcast | Photo Tips
Totality begins at 1:06 Universal Time, November 9 (8:06pm EST Nov. 8).
Additional details of tonight's eclipse can be found on BBC News
Previous Pic Of The Day posts
26th Sep 03
24th Sep 03
17th Sep 03