[AZ-Observing] Re: Total Eclipse
- From: "Dan Heim" <dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:11:30 -0700
Tom's comment about the "maximum earthshine" recalled a question I've asked
several local amateurs, and even sent to S&T (no answer), so maybe I'll just
post it here and see what you all think. The answers I've received so far
are not unanimous.
The idea is: here in AZ (compared to the east cost) we get better
earthshine because the Sun is reflecting off the Pacific Ocean. You can
even see the reflection of the Sun in some photos taken from orbit. I've
seen it when flying to Hawaii. On the east coast, the Sun has to reflect of
the North American land mass, which it does, but more feebly. I've seen
some great earthshine here in AZ, compared to what I recall from my old digs
in the Midwest.
Atmospheric variations notwithstanding, and all things being equal, should
we see noticeably brighter earthshine here? Makes sense to me. It would be
interesting to get a photometric comparison through clear skies from each
coast.
Dan Heim
President
Desert Foothills Astronomy Club
http://www.dfacaz.org
> I did my best with a 200mm lens, never looking through the viewfinder so I
> could take it in visually. The one sort of unique image is this gross
> overexposure, which faintly shows the larger maria on the moon, which was
> experiencing the brightest Earthshine possible at the time.
>
> http://members.cox.net/tpolakis/astro/IMG_8315.jpg
>
>
> More show and tell to come at the club meetings.
>
> Tom
>
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