Lunar Eclipse

Toronto couldn't have asked for a better sky for the lunar eclipse last night. I sat outside for more than an hour, watching the Earth's shadow move slowly across the moon.

I took some photos with my Rebel XTI using a Canon 70-300 telephoto lens, but found that it was way too cold to do much fiddling with the settings - I had to keep putting my hands back in my mittens. In the end, I decided I'd far rather do more watching than photographing. Jeff brought out some hot chocolate for me partway through and joined me; and several of our neighbours came out as well. Jeff set up his telescope and we not only watched the moon's eclipse but also checked out some planets and nebulae.

I've been enjoying browsing through lunar eclipse photos on Flickr...not just to see how everyone's photos turned out but at the thought of so many people around the world were looking at the same thing in the sky, filled with the same wonder.

I mean, think about it. This is something that happens TOTALLY out of our control, it only happens every 3-5 years, and it's an event that's been going on long before any of us were around and will continue long after we're gone. I find it humbling and inspiring and comforting all at the same time.



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