Lunar Eclipse & Comet Patrol
Submitted: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 08:51
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Karsten from Birdsville Studio
Just watched an amazing lunar eclipse from the
Dingo Caves. With Wolfgang, Mr.
Birdsville & company, freshly brewed espresso coffee and a little port, we saw a total eclipse which became blood red before disappearing behind a cloud bank.
A nice warm fire, brilliant sunrise & Wolfi's rendition of "Sunshine on My Shoulders" topped off a surreal morning.
For those astronomical among you, May sees two naked eye visible comets in the sky at the same time (a fairly rare event). If you are in or around
Birdsville, we'll be setting up the Celestron 250mm telescope to get a closer view on Wednesday night 15th May & Saturday night 19th May.
More Details to follow.....
Reply By: floyd - Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 15:40
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 15:40
Was up at 4.15 with my 2 year old and had a look a bit before 5 am. We both saw the
Orange Moon and a lot of the meteorite shower. Saw it again at around 6.00 and it was great. All
orange again. We are at Mt Buller in victoria and had no man made light to interupt the view.
Not as good as the huge meteor shower a couple of years ago where there were several falling each second for several hours. Cant remember the name of that one but it was by far the best display of falling stars I have ever seen. Aparently it only comes by th eearth every 66,000 years or so give or take a few years.
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Follow Up By: Karsten from Birdsville Studio - Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 09:11
Saturday, May 08, 2004 at 09:11
Floyd mate, the meteor shower you're refering to is the Leonids (Nov.2001). They are
debris of Halley's
comet and we actually pass through them very regularly at the same time of the year. Sometimes we have a good show as was 2001.
The event that last occured 66 000 years ago (give or take) was Mars being as close as it was last year. It won't be quite as long to see Mars as close again, but long enough (not in our life time).
Cheers
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