2010/2011 winter eclipses

[Roman White]

Why don't I see any threads about the upcoming eclipses? 

Let me write down some comments...

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Total lunar eclipse - Dec.21, 2010 (tonight!)
NB: Half-day before northern winter solstice

You'd be lucky there to witness a total phase of it. My friend from Poltava is being currently in Edinburgh too. So I hope the weather will cooperate for astronomers in the UK.
In Ukraine only beginning of the penumbral phase would be visible. To be honest, actually invisible - this is the only eclipse since 2002 which I would be able to see only on my PC screen, regardless of weather.  Eclipse begins here just a few minutes before sunrise, at 07:29 EET and 0.8° altitude. Shortly, at 07:38 EET Moon sets while penumbral magnitude is <15%. Anyway, I'd be glad to add this virtual eclipse to my chase list, lol 

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Partial solar eclipse - Jan.04, 2011
NB: 1 day after the Earth at aphelion

First in a set of 4 solar eclipses next year, and the one that most people in the world could see. Visible widely across Europe, Africa (north of equator), Western Siberia, Middle East and across most of Central Asia.
The most favourable weather conditions are (certainly!) in Northeast Africa and Arabian peninsula.
The biggest phase (>75%) covers Benelux, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and most of Central and Eastern Europe, with maximum of 85.8% at the Swedish coast of Gulf of Bothnia (with Sun at 0° altitude btw)

Poltava would get healthy 78.3% and 2h:59m of the eclipse.  This is going to be the biggest phase for 30 yrs (2000-2029) and longest duration for 54 yrs (1983-2036)!

The weather prospects for early January aren't very good. It could be either very cold and sunny, either warmer and very cloudy. Best option is to have a dry arctic air mass from N-NW. I had a thought of travelling some 1000km north to Russia (Pskov, Novgorod or Leningrad regions), which might increase the maximal phase to 83-84% and slightly increase the chances of clear & cold weather. But then I decided to stay at home, as there are roughly 50-60% chances to glimpse the Sun during the eclipse time.

I hope everybody over the British Isles would be lucky with the sunrise eclipse too! See you in a week or so, when short-term forecasts would be available.

[martinastro]

That's a very good question Roman, I was just about to start one there now but I'm glad you took care of it. Looking forward to observing and photographing this eclipse if skies are clear, I just got the loan of a 100-400mm lens so hopefully I will get a few decent shots. Best of luck everyone and enjoy this rare solstice total lunar eclipse 

Here's the link to the NASA eclipse article..

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2010/17dec_solsticeeclipse/

[markt]

I'm sat here clinging onto the hope for clear skies in the early hours, though, I'll be surprised if I get any.  Still, gonna spend the night snoozing on the sofa just incase...

[rjgjr]

I would have just about the best seat in the house, the Moon being directly overhead at totality, but there is rain over the entire area with few breaks. Will definitely be poking my head out the window from time to time.

[Big Dipper]

Why don't I see any threads about the upcoming eclipses? 

http://astrophotoweather.smfforfree4.com/index.php/topic,2845.0.html

Welcome back Roman - I was beginning to think that you'd deserted us! 

I must admit that my enthusiasm for this eclipse has been somewhat dampened as totality occurs around the time that the Moon sets (as seen from the UK). If only it had been a repeat performance of the superb eclipse we had in early 2007. The timing and altitude of the Moon was far more favourable to those of us in 'ole Blighty and as most of us had clear skies for the occasion, my main astro forum at the time was buzzing with reports from all parts of the UK - including a guy who lived way up in Shetland.

Talk about an electric atmosphere!!

There's a thick blanket of cloud outside as I type this so looks as though this eclipse will be a 'dead duck' for me, too! 

[markt]

Yup, cloudy here for me 

Resorting to webcasts of it instead...

*edit*

Grrrrrr!  Just before sunrise the eastern part of the sky cleared while the west has a bank of cloud towards the horizon 

[brianb]

Got a brief glimpse between cloud banks but the unfavourable circimstances combined with unpleasant weather (-10C even on the coast) and not wanting to move more than necessary due to risk of further injury to my wrist meant that this event was not amongst my highest priorities at the moment.

[Keith g]

Well done to you all who got a view, I know the weather did not help for some which was a real pity. I got a wonderful view of it here in east Cavan, even at minus 13.5C it was worth it. I could follow the eclipsed moon all the way to my horizon.  I have to say I was really lucky as the fog last night was really bad.

Here is a taste of what the scene was like over the snow-covered fields 

Just after totality
www.webtreatz.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-102

The eclipsed moon setting
www.webtreatz.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-101

And right at moonset from my site, this was really hard to see as it seemed the moon was getting ever darker, and with the brightening sky, this eneded off a lovely show
www.webtreatz.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pos=-100

Keith..         

   
 
 

[markt]

Lovely shots Keith!  You did well to get some flicks of it, was always going to be a difficult one from our part of the world.  Looks very dramatic over the snow

[Paul]

Success in Larne - for want of anywhere else to put them, my pics are here.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulgevans/

All taken with Sony DSLR A700 with 400m  f6.3 T2 mount lens on static tripod.

Enjoy!

Paul.

[martinastro]

Congratulations Keith and Paul, great to some got good images of this event 

Glimpsed it for a few sec's but that was it, freezing fog covered the the main event, I was parked on the side of a road for a long time waiting for a break, the cold was unbelievable!

[markt]

Very nice images Paul!

[rjgjr]

Great shots everyone, the only thing I saw or heard overnight was 3 " of rain. Maybe next time!!

[Roman White]

Congats for Keith and Brian!  I just love those shots in front of the blue sky and snowy backround - it reminds me Feb. 2008 eclipse, but then totality occured while still dark (5 AM), so I have never seen the eclipse like that.

And special congratultations for Martin - I agree, it worth an effort, even if the result is a few seconds glimpse. The same 'success' as you I've got in Mar.2007 (overcast and rain, then broken clouds, then overcast and fog).

Last night I was completely clouded out, it cleared only during next moonrise.

Why don't I see any threads about the upcoming eclipses? 

http://astrophotoweather.smfforfree4.com/index.php/topic,2845.0.html
Welcome back Roman - I was beginning to think that you'd deserted us! 

Oh yeah, that is, but one cannot post replies to it...
No, Andy, I've not deserted, I simply spare very few time for astronomy last time, so I check the forum once a few weeks but usually forget to post. You know, it's sometimes frustrating when you're busy and the weather is mostly bad, therefore the scope may stay indoors for a month or so...

[martinastro]

I have to say the image of the red Moon above the snow fields and trees with hoar frost before dawn by keith is absolutely stunning! 

Paul, congrats on getting your lunar eclipse image on BBC Newsline this evening.

Thanks Roman, I have no images and only saw it for a few sec's but at least I got a glimpse, it was tough going in such horrendous weather conditions.