Not so long ago, we believed that the Moon was much like our planet. To earth-bound observers, lunar features appeared as great seas and even vegetation-covered plains. Today, of course, we know that quite the opposite is true and that the lunar landscape is not like Earth’s at all.
From Earth, the major features of the Moon’s surface appear simply as lighter and darker regions, but these features are anything but simple. They represent vast basins, sprawling lava plains, and even a few mountain ranges.
Luna’s brighter highlands are riddled with ancient impact craters that can be seen even today. In the darker mares, those impact sites are not so apparent - likely due to flows from hot material during early lunar existence.
One of the most prominent lunar features is Tycho Crater. Visible as a bright ridged circular region near the Moon’s lower limb, and believed to have been formed by a relatively recent impact, this crater has been a target for many telescopes and the subject of much scientific study.
The following slidecast, the first in a series of several featuring the lunar surface, offers a more in-depth look at this fascinating lunar feature.
Thanks to our new friends at Asociacion Argentina Amigos de la Astronomia, we were able to see the total lunar eclipse Wednesday on Slooh even though there were clouds over Mt. Teide. Thank you!
Here’s a wonderful animation from Slooh Member Dave M. Check for more Slooh member animations and personal astronomy pictures of the event at mySlooh. Remember to post your own!
Join us on Slooh for the total lunar eclipse tonight. Be sure to look up to your home sky and see it if you can! All or part of the celestial event will be visible by half the planet, three billion people in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and part of Asia. Totality will begin at 10:01PM EST/3:01AM UT.
Weather permitting, we will watch the whole eclipse unfold through the Slooh Telescopes in the Canary Islands. SkyGuides on Slooh Radio will explain how and why eclipses happen starting at 8PM ET/1AM UT. We’ll also have a “How-To Slooh” broadcast to help you get the most out of your membership.
Don’t forget to snap your own eclipse souvenir in the Slooh Mission Interface! This is the last total eclipse of the Moon until 2010.
UPDATE: Rain over the Slooh Domes, so we set up a special page for live viewing of the eclipse.
Join astronomy author and Slooh SkyGuide Phil Harrington on Slooh tonight for a special preview of the total eclipse of the Moon this Wednesday. The celestial event will be visible by all of South America, much of North America, Western Europe and parts of Africa. Weather permitting, we will be able to watch the whole eclipse unfold here on Slooh. Phil’s preview show on Slooh Radio will explain how and why eclipses happen, their history, and what to look for from your own backyard this Wednesday. Come into the chat room to ask questions that he can answer live on air.
Phil’s personal photo of the 10/04 Lunar Eclipse:
