It's not going replace video-streaming-service and chill, but last night's eclipse probably would have gotten good Neilsen numbers, if the ratings service kept track of natural phenomena.
Last night I napped a bit, then added a thick robe and sandals to my socks and sweatpants and Winter nightgown to go looking for the Moon, peering out windows until I realized a total eclipse was going to be pretty much overhead. I stepped outside -- into air about nine degrees above zero -- and discovered high, thin clouds were making a rainbow ring around the moon, which was already showing an edge of the Earth's shadow. I took a deep breath and realized I wasn't going to be able to stand outside long. The cold air was overwhelming!
The soles of thick sandals make good insulation and my toes didn't feel too cold. Multiple warm layers kept my core comfortable but fingers and ears and the tip of my nose were well-chilled in only a few minutes looking. I watched the rest of the eclipse on a handheld, warm in my bed.
This morning, the air was clear and the Moon was exceptionally bright. Temperatures are below zero at the official measuring points. In town it may be above zero, but only barely.
Cool! Pun intended.
ReplyDeleteHere in Minnesnowta the temperature was about 7 degrees when the moon first entered the umbra, and by the time of first totality it had dropped to about 5. The sky was mostly clear, not much haze and no clouds so the viewing was unimpeded. By the time it was over we were right at 1 degree and it must have stayed there all night. My wife and I were in-and-out of the house with binoculars warming up between (very brief) viewing sessions.
ReplyDeleteHere's a silly comment. I don't normally perceive the moon, regardless of the phase (whether 1/4, 1/2 or full) as a sphere, but to my eyes it always looks two-dimensional in the sky. During a total lunar eclipse there must be something about how it is shaded with the red tone that makes it look spherical to me. I have no idea if anybody else perceives it this way.
Blackwing1, I noticed that effect, too.
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