Star Talk ☆ Let's Hang - All Are Welcome!!

[Polaris]

Heads up!! There's a partial lunar eclipse coming on the night of August 7 to August 8!

The upcoming solar eclipse will supposedly the last total solar eclipse for the next 600 million years!! Because the moon is slowly moving away from the Earth, total solar eclipses will soon(ish) cease to exist/occur because the moon will be too small to cover the sun completely.

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[Lemon Cheesecake]

EIYEEE I didn't realize that! Maybe we should have gone to where they will be having a total eclipse then?!

I'll make sure I have my camera ready for the partial lunar eclipse, hopefully it will occur where/when we can see it happen. If you get any photos then post them!
What happens if I try to take a picture of the partial solar eclipse if I just try to aim with my camera. Will it burn my lens out?

[Polaris]

That would depend on the type of camera you're using, but first and foremost you MUST have a solar filter of some sort that'll help reduce the intensity of its brightness -- don't wanna burn that lens! This is only for partial eclipses, however, because you won't need a filter for a total eclipse.

Photographing the 2017 Eclipse!

Remember to turn off your flash and use proper solar eclipse-viewing glasses so as to not ruin your eyes!

[Gingerale]

oh thanks for the info Polaris! I'm hoping it won't be cloudy, we tend to be overcast in the mornings.

[Lemon Cheesecake]

Meteor shower this week end: "The Perseid meteor shower is annual as the Earth passes through the former tail of comet Swift-Tuttle, which happens to make orbits of the sun once every 133 years, leaving particles behind. When the Earth impacts those particles, they super-heat when they hit the atmosphere, giving off light and heat.
This year, the display lasts from July 13 to August 26, but activity peaks Friday night into Sunday.
The meteors look like they emanate from the constellation Perseus, which is why the shower has its name."

[Polaris]

Yes Lemon!! Look up in the sky tonight and you might just see a shooting star!
Seems like the night of August 12 into dawn on Sunday is the last of peak activity, so catch them while you can. Even with a bright moon tonight, you still have a good chance of seeing something.

Just remember to go outside 45 minutes before whatever time you wanna go out and see it (11pm, 12am, etc.). Your eyes will take about 45 minutes to adjust to the darkness.

[Lemon Cheesecake]

good reminder ! - and don't look at the brightness of the moon too long or you will have to readjust your eyes as well.

[Watery Star]

So I'd have to spend an hour outside to try to catch it? ^^;
I guess I can't bring a device outside because that would mess with my vision too.

[mdom]

CRY because the last ecplise won't be seen from where I am
total eclipse of my heart xD

[Gingerale]

I'm going to try and see the meteor shower tonight then

[Lemon Cheesecake]

I got to see a few meteors tonight before the moon came up - but it took awhile.

[Polaris]

If you didn't catch any action tonight, no worries! 2018 is the year for you!!

The new moon will coincide with the Perseids Meteor Shower, so the meteor shower rate will be up to 90 meteors per hour (this year's was 40-50 and hour). Won't have to worry about that pesky moon anymore, huh?

[Gingerale]

That's exciting news! I did manage to see a couple really bright meteors with long tails so that was fun and worth the crick in the neck. Maybe next time I will get a fold up chair or something and use that to lean back on.

[mdom]

ooooh I imagine if even I can see it next year xD

[Lemon Cheesecake]

you can still try mdom - do you have a view of the sky where you are, or are you in the city?