Today or rather tonight we’re having a solar eclipse. It’s a special one called a Luna Rossa where the moon turns red. All day I’ve been watching the weather because I’m desperate to see this thing. All sorts of story possibilites have jumped into my fertile imagination, and I want to see it myself. I’m hoping the sky will clear a little.
An incoming newsflash…Mr. Munro has just seen the moon pop out! He’s seen it through the kitchen window. We’ve set the alarm so we won’t forget to go outside.
Here’s the National Geographic link. Evidently you’ll be able to see it in parts of the Northern hemisphere as well.
Here are some Luna facts taken from Stardome NZ
DISTANCE TO MOON
averages about 360,000km. This is about ten times the stationary satellite orbit that delivers SKY TV and about 1/400 of the distance to the sun.
SURFACE TEMPERATURE
Day – about 130deg, the temp for deep frying potato chips
Night – minus 150 deg; CO2 is solid but oxygen is still 30 deg above turning liquid.
ORBITAL SPEED
3660km/hr, 4 times the speed of a Boeing 737 but 1/30 the speed earth orbits the sun.
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
Have you heard the expression “once in a blue moon?” A month with two full moons is a blue moon. This year July is a blue moon. The full moons are 1st and 30th July
SKY FACTS
The 7 brightest objects in order: Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Sirius, Mars and Saturn. (5th brightest is a three way tie between the last three; the brightness of the planets varies.
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I finished my Caveman story today, or at least the first draft. I’ve also had a brainwave regarding Assassin, my third Middlemarch story and this afternoon I’ve changed the start. I’m much happier with it now.
Hi Shelley,
by danette August 28th, 2007 at 3:21 amI watched some of it here in Hawaii, it’s beautiful.( We’re pretty cloudy here too tonight.)
Hugs, Danette
I wish I’d seen it. I’ll have to check out the site. And congratulations on finishing your caveman story! I was going to do one, but I haven’t had a chance yet.
by Christine d'Abo August 28th, 2007 at 7:05 amCan’t see it here.
by Gabriele August 28th, 2007 at 4:08 pmHi Danette - I hope it’s warm in Hawaii since I’m flying there tomorrow
Christine - it was beautiful. I’m about to post some photos. Thanks re the Caveman story. You still have a month to go.
Gabriele - no, you couldn’t see it in Europe because of the Earth’s position.
by Shelley Munro August 29th, 2007 at 12:08 amIt’s hot, perfect beach weather.
by danette August 30th, 2007 at 8:39 pm