Total Lunar Eclipse 2001 January 09

Conditions were generally clear throughout the Central Belt of Scotland on the 9th January 2001. Excellent views were had a few miles west of Stirling; air temperature was a few degrees C below freezing and no wind. In my 15cm rich field telescope the eclipsed moon appeared almost 3D in a beautiful Gemini star field. Castor and Pollux were in attendance and the major planets, Jupiter and Saturn were nearby in Taurus. Several stars were occulted during the eclipse, highlight being the occultation of 63 Gem during totality.

Seven minutes before totality. Two second exposure through 500mm lens at f/8.
20:20UT, mid eclipse. Two second exposure through 500mm lens at f/8. Note 63 Gem at 6 o'clock just prior to occultation.
Four minutes before the end of totality. Four second exposure through 500mm lens at f/8. Note 63 Gem at 4 o'clock just after re-appearance.
Six minutes after end of totality. Two second exposure through 500mm lens at f/8.
Eighteen minutes before the end of the umbral phase. 1/125th second exposure through 500mm lens at f/8.

 

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