Eclipsed in Southern Skies
Explanation:
This stunning panorama in southern skies was recorded
on the colorful night of September 27/28 from
Carngegie Las Campanas Observatory.
A diffuse glow and dark rifts of the central
Milky Way hang over domes of the twin 6.5 meter
Magellan telescopes.
But most eye-catching is the deep red glow of the Moon.
Immersed in Earth's shadow during the
much anticipated
perigee-total-lunar eclipse, the Moon's surface reflects the light of
sunsets and sunrises scattered and refracted into the planet's
cone-shaped umbra.
Along with the dramatic hue of the eclipsed Moon, other
colors of that night captured by the sensitive digital camera
include the red and green shades of atmospheric airglow.
Viewers can also spot the Andromeda Galaxy below the
Moon, seen as a tiny smudge through the
reddish airglow and
lights along the horizon.
The Magellanic Clouds, satellite galaxies of the Milky Way, join
in at the far left of
the full
panorama frame.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
