Lunar Eclipse, Western Australia, 4 April 2015

On Saturday night 4 April during the Easter period I was thrilled to be able to photograph the lunar eclipse.  We were out in the central Western Australian wheatbelt visiting my family who farm in the area, so conditions were going to be perfect with absolutely no ambient light from towns, highways, factories etc. 

The total eclipse was due to be at its peak around 8pm. Early in the evening the clouds started to roll in, but I was able to get some photos during the early phases of the eclipse.  In simple terms the lunar eclipse occurs when the earth passes between the moon and sun creating what they call "the blood moon".

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The explanation below comes from www.space.com - please click here to read more - 
Total Lunar Eclipse

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon is fully submerged in the core of the Earth's shadow, called the umbra. The outer ring of the shadow is called the penumbra. When the moon passes into the penumbra, it darkens the surface of the moon, making it look as if a "bite" has been taken from the lunar surface. "Totality" occurs when the moon is completely submerged in the umbra, and takes on a deep red hue because of light filtered through Earth's atmosphere.

Sometimes you just get lucky. Thanks to my family who went along with me for the experience, we went out onto a quiet country track and I was in the right spot at the right time. A few seconds after this image was taken the moon went totally behind cloud. My photography friends in my home town were completely clouded out and didn't get a shot at all! But evidently they had a spectacular sunset.  You can't win them all. I just wish I'd had a longer lens. Tripod absolutely essential.

The next total lunar eclipse takes place on Sept. 28, 2015. That comes shortly after a partial solar eclipse on Sept. 13, which will only be visible in Antarctica

For those that missed the lunar eclipse, you can see a video here - Shortest blood moon of the century

While we were waiting to see if the clouds were going to move my nephew and I played around with 30 seconds time lapse and the light from his mobile phone.  The totally black night conditions really helped with the success. What fun! I'd like to do some more of these shots.

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