It is nearly 15 degrees outside right now. Here in New England, near Boston, I am pondering whether or not I want to venture outside tonight to image the Total Lunar Eclipse. I may let myself get the better of me and just trudge outside and take the &*^%$ pics and get it over with. I am just going to use my 60mm AT60ED and my ASI294MC camera on an Alt-Az mount, set it up, take a few pics at totality and then hoof it back home. Here's to bravery!

It may be too cold...Lunar Eclipse
#2
Posted 20 January 2019 - 07:05 PM
I'm more concerned about clouds
#3
Posted 20 January 2019 - 07:22 PM
I am getting set up here in Fairbanks, where we are playing with cloud cover. The prediction is to become clear a little before our local "full begins".
Temp outside at scope is about -2F at the moment, and down to about -10F by tonight. But, this is normal for us, so pleased it is not any colder. Hoping it clears, and the sky is stable.
Looking forward to pix of the eclipse from around the circumpolar north.
Mike
#4
Posted 20 January 2019 - 07:24 PM
The temperature here is getting down to the Fairbanks level. It's supposed to be 4F by the start of the eclipse. The main problem is the 20-35mph wind we have going on right now.
#5
Posted 20 January 2019 - 07:51 PM
You could be this guy:
Or this guy
Don't be a couch potato! Get out there!
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#6
Posted 20 January 2019 - 08:09 PM
The spirit is willing but the flesh is freezing. No, thanks - BTDT! This time I'm opting for survival and comfort. There'll be pictures aplenty in a day or two.
#7
Posted 20 January 2019 - 08:36 PM
It has been snowing here all day, and no clearing at all in the evening is forecast.
#8
Posted 20 January 2019 - 08:52 PM
8 here and falling. I will take out minimal stuff and snap a few pics, then hoof it back in.
#9
Posted 20 January 2019 - 09:09 PM
yep, had planned on imaging this event too since we won't have another total for almost 2.4 years. (correct me if I am wrong)
But we in Omaha, NE are all clouded out. But the local university is hosting a viewing from somewhere clear, at there planetarium, so will probably head there.
Good luck to all with fairer skies and brave the temps.
#10
Posted 20 January 2019 - 09:30 PM
It is clear right now and supposed to remain clear, but the wind just picked up. I am not sure about getting out. I will have to see when totality comes around.
#12
Posted 21 January 2019 - 12:11 AM
All I can see are clouds.
#14
Posted 21 January 2019 - 01:47 AM
I can't downsize my pics... got some with my phone in kenai...I am getting set up here in Fairbanks, where we are playing with cloud cover. The prediction is to become clear a little before our local "full begins".
Temp outside at scope is about -2F at the moment, and down to about -10F by tonight. But, this is normal for us, so pleased it is not any colder. Hoping it clears, and the sky is stable.
Looking forward to pix of the eclipse from around the circumpolar north.
Mike
#15
Posted 21 January 2019 - 01:50 AM
Here we go...
#17
Posted 21 January 2019 - 10:19 AM
I watched the end of the Patriots/Chiefs game, feeling a little tipsy and lay down for a nap before the eclipse and slept right through it. Woke up near fourth contact, looked out the window and knew I made the right choice. 20 MPH winds with 2 degree temps. Thanks, but no thanks. The next total lunar eclipse is in May 26, 2021. Much warmer!
Edited by Stargazer3236, 21 January 2019 - 10:19 AM.
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#18
Posted 21 January 2019 - 11:28 AM
Almost then Clouds and Snow....Pat Utah
CPC 9.25 @F2.2, 0.333 sec, Gain 0, ZWO 1600 Color Cam, IDAS D2 Filter, ASICAP SW, Screen Shot from Mac
Edited by Alien Observatory, 21 January 2019 - 12:19 PM.
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#19
Posted 21 January 2019 - 12:49 PM
Here in North Carolina, we had a very cold front come in yesterday afternoon. The temperature went from the 50's Fahrenheit, down to 19 degrees. We aren't used to temperatures like that, but heck, I lived up in Yellowknife along while ago and consider myself warm winter weather spoilt nowadays.
So I put on a few woolen ayers, my motorcycle jacket, light gloves, and a hat and sat in the yard for about three hours watching it all through binoculars, and drinking cold beer. My wife isn't very outdoorsy so she sat there with me, drinking hot coffee and freezing in her one light winter coat. Despite her discomfort we both found it very worth the while.
I set up my D500 on my Berlebach tripod using my gimbal head and the 200-500 f 5.6 and took a few pictures. except for running out of beer early, it was a great way to spend a few hours and ponder how magical the sky can be.
Edited by Pavel+, 21 January 2019 - 12:52 PM.
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#20
Posted 21 January 2019 - 01:14 PM
Well, I can't complain about the cold since our evening temps in Tucson last night for the eclipse were in the low-50sF. Nevertheless, I had my toe-warmers and my little ceramic heater to keep me warm while I was broadcasting on nightskiesnetwork.com. We had high clouds all through the evening which somewhat diminished the views.
My husband took a different approach and watched the eclipse from our hot tub
I used my 14Edge@F/2, ASI1600MC-C camera with UV/IR cut filter, and SharpCap for the live views and snapshots.
Start of total eclipse phase, 3.3 sec snapshot, Gain 72
NSN broadcast
Mid-eclipse, 3.5 sec snapshot, Gain 62
Edited by saguaro, 21 January 2019 - 01:38 PM.
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#21
Posted 21 January 2019 - 01:21 PM
-12F and windy in northern NY state last evening with 2+ feet of fresh snow from earlier in the day that I hadn't blown out of the driveway yet. Too cold and deep to take any equipment out, much less the wet-ware to go with it. Best I could do was to eyeball observation from a south facing window, but due to the high elevation angle of the moon, the overhanging eaves and roof prevented viewing from just before mid-eclipse onward. What I did see seemed to be overall darker in brightness and color shade than I remember from previous eclipses.
Edited by yknpdlr, 21 January 2019 - 01:23 PM.