It really was quite a show.
For a lunar eclipse to fall on the same date as the northern winter solstice, is rare. In fact scientists say that in recorded history there is only one other instance of an eclipse matching the same calendar date as the solstice, and that was in Dec. 21, 1638. That's 372 years ago!
The next won't be quite as long. It's expected in Dec. 21, 2094. That's a mere 84 years from now.
Anyways, it's -8 in southern Ontario. So I bundle up and while I am humming that old blue eyes chessnut “Fly Me To The Moon”, I bolt my 120 dollar Fujifilm 170 digital camera atop my 10 dollar mini tripod and prepare to make photographic history. But damn its cold out here!
I think of my ancient ancestors – not with digital cameras – but braving the cold night air banging on pots and pans hoping that the racket will scare of the evil demons who appeared to be in the process of making off with the moon.
No pots and pans being beat tonight. In fact it's very quiet. I appear to be only one out here. A police cruiser approaches, stops to assess the situation, and content that I don't appear to be carrying any burglary tools, continues his appointed rounds.
After a bunch of editing, I managed to put a few shots together. Not to worry, however. I plan to be much better at this in time for the next one.
