APOD: 2004 May 6 - A Lunar Eclipse Mosaic (original) (raw)

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2004 May 6

A Lunar Eclipse Mosaic
Credit & Copyright: Anthony Ayiomamitis

Explanation: From start to finish, thisimpressive digital mosaic covers May 4th's total eclipse of the Moon. Astronomer Anthony Ayiomamitis reports that the eclipse viewing was wonderful from Greece, where skies cleared shortly before the celestial show began. His mosaic includes images, recorded at five minute intervals and arranged sequentially in an arc, that trace the progress of the inner portion of theEarth's shadow or umbra across the lunar disk. A series depicting a surprisingly dark, totallyeclipsed Moon is featured in the center. While May 4th's total lunar eclipsefavored observers in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the Moon's next trip through Earth's shadow, scheduled forOctober 28, will give skygazers in the Americas a turn.

Tomorrow's picture: look west

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 atNASA /GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.