On Wednesday 15 June there was a full lunar eclipse. As astronomy lovers we off course wanted to see that. We had only one couple as guests, Trevor Carnaby with his wife and baby of 9 months old. Trevor is the writer of the books “beat about the bush” with a lot of information about the animals here in Southern Africa. We have both his books (about mammals and about birds) and were happy to hear that he is busy with more books and that stars will have a place in one of them. They have bought a property here in Balule and since they still have to build their house, they came to us for one night. They are very nice people and it is nice to have such an expert here in the reserve.
Trevor’s wife was tired and wanted to go to bed early but he was keen
to see the eclipse too. It was very bright and we had a good view of the full Moon. After dinner we sat around the campfire and talked. Around twenty minutes after eight we saw that there was a little piece of the Moon missing. Quickly we drove to the air-strip, a small landing strip for planes a little further in the reserve. Our neighbour Steve had arranged that we could make a small fire there to gather with a few people to enjoy the phenomenon. Everybody brought their own drinks and Steve had arranged for some rolls and sausage. We chatted with neighbours and people we knew while we enjoyed the spectacle. The shadow of the Earth slowly covered the Moon and it got darker. The Moon became dark orange and with binoculars you could beautifully see that it is a sphere. When the Moon was fully covered, slowly an even darker shadow (the numbra) started to cover the Moon. The Moon now became dark red and the stars, that were very faint earlier because of the full Moon, were very clear now. We could see the Milky Way beautifully and looked at the butterfly cluster, just under the tail of Scorpio, through our binoculars. Around half past ten the Moon was fully covered and we decided to go home. At home we had one last look at the Moon before we went to bed and saw that the edge of the Moon was starting to get lighter again already. Just after midnight the Moon would shine just like always and this special event was over.
to see the eclipse too. It was very bright and we had a good view of the full Moon. After dinner we sat around the campfire and talked. Around twenty minutes after eight we saw that there was a little piece of the Moon missing. Quickly we drove to the air-strip, a small landing strip for planes a little further in the reserve. Our neighbour Steve had arranged that we could make a small fire there to gather with a few people to enjoy the phenomenon. Everybody brought their own drinks and Steve had arranged for some rolls and sausage. We chatted with neighbours and people we knew while we enjoyed the spectacle. The shadow of the Earth slowly covered the Moon and it got darker. The Moon became dark orange and with binoculars you could beautifully see that it is a sphere. When the Moon was fully covered, slowly an even darker shadow (the numbra) started to cover the Moon. The Moon now became dark red and the stars, that were very faint earlier because of the full Moon, were very clear now. We could see the Milky Way beautifully and looked at the butterfly cluster, just under the tail of Scorpio, through our binoculars. Around half past ten the Moon was fully covered and we decided to go home. At home we had one last look at the Moon before we went to bed and saw that the edge of the Moon was starting to get lighter again already. Just after midnight the Moon would shine just like always and this special event was over.
Regards from the bush, Miriam
No comments:
Post a Comment