Last month and this month, I have been religiously going out and snapping moon photos here and there. The weather was perfect; I couldn't ask for more. We got some clouds on other days, but then it would get clear again. So you say, Life is great. No, not until I received the Astronomy & Space newsletter in the email from the National Research Council of Canada, 'Deep Impact - Moon', by Ken Tapping, September 09, 2009.
"At 4:40 AM PDT on October 9, amateur astronomers with telescopes with objectives larger than about 20 cm may have the chance to observe a very rare event, the deliberate crashing of a large spacecraft onto the Moon's surface. This act is part of our ongoing search for water on the Moon.', Astronomy & Space, National Research Council Canada 'Deep Impact - Moon', by Ken Tapping, September 09, 2009."
UPDATE: Oh no, now I should really shoot myself in the toe for misreading this news and then misleading some of you. The 'Deep Impact' has yet to happen on October 9th, and I thought it was September 9th. Let us then do a countdown, and I hope I get good weather. Will Taft from Healthy Living thank you for correcting me and, in a way, making me feel better, as I will definitely have my camera ready. By the way, excellent attention to detail. And this was my original message. Okay, it was 2:00 am; I must have been sleepwalking.
Oh no, a large spacecraft crashed into the Moon's surface. I didn't know if I should shoot myself in the toe [I don't know why toe?], scream out loud [no, Matthew is sleeping], run outside, or start taking more pictures [yes, I did this]. Just imagine things going through my head. I've been waiting for this moment, and I missed it, just like I decided to watch the thunderstorm and not have my camera photograph this split-second view of the ball lightning.
On the other hand, who goes out that early in the morning to look out for sky stuff? Not me, but knowing Bob, my new blogger friend Astro-Nuts, it's possible. But then my lens probably wouldn't see much anyway. Well, I confess, I had no idea that those crashes had been happening in the past, but then I always had some good vibes taking moon photos, and now at least I know that my photos will be different as time passes.
I almost forgot this was supposed to be a knowledge tip. Then let me tell you something short and sweet. Try to photograph the partial moon or just the phases. The photographs will have a more three-dimensional feel, and you will also see a better emphasis on the craters, as you can see in the above photo. By the way, I have not found the spot of the crash yet, but I bet it is there now. Well, I cannot call this a bad day after all, knowing that Ellen DeGeneres is going to be a fourth judge on American Idol. For me, it's like seeing the lightning ball again, or not.
~ Anna
"At 4:40 AM PDT on October 9, amateur astronomers with telescopes with objectives larger than about 20 cm may have the chance to observe a very rare event, the deliberate crashing of a large spacecraft onto the Moon's surface. This act is part of our ongoing search for water on the Moon.', Astronomy & Space, National Research Council Canada 'Deep Impact - Moon', by Ken Tapping, September 09, 2009."
UPDATE: Oh no, now I should really shoot myself in the toe for misreading this news and then misleading some of you. The 'Deep Impact' has yet to happen on October 9th, and I thought it was September 9th. Let us then do a countdown, and I hope I get good weather. Will Taft from Healthy Living thank you for correcting me and, in a way, making me feel better, as I will definitely have my camera ready. By the way, excellent attention to detail. And this was my original message. Okay, it was 2:00 am; I must have been sleepwalking.
On the other hand, who goes out that early in the morning to look out for sky stuff? Not me, but knowing Bob, my new blogger friend Astro-Nuts, it's possible. But then my lens probably wouldn't see much anyway. Well, I confess, I had no idea that those crashes had been happening in the past, but then I always had some good vibes taking moon photos, and now at least I know that my photos will be different as time passes.
I almost forgot this was supposed to be a knowledge tip. Then let me tell you something short and sweet. Try to photograph the partial moon or just the phases. The photographs will have a more three-dimensional feel, and you will also see a better emphasis on the craters, as you can see in the above photo. By the way, I have not found the spot of the crash yet, but I bet it is there now. Well, I cannot call this a bad day after all, knowing that Ellen DeGeneres is going to be a fourth judge on American Idol. For me, it's like seeing the lightning ball again, or not.
~ Anna
Comments
As for Ellen DeGeneres, perhaps this may be one way of improving its ratings! The Australian Idol version is performing poorly and is being out rated by run of the mill stuff.
Will Ellen be the good guy judge or the bad guy judge? We will just have to wait and see.
By the way, Happy Birthday to you know who!
Take Care,
Peter
But anyway, I like pictures of partial moon too, they seem more lively for sure! :)
The very first post of yours that I read had an amazing photo of the moon. I love this one as well. You are right about the three dimensional feel and the craters. Thanks for an excellent tip!
You are the best Moon photographer I know, I've tried it too, not bad but not like yours.
Probably I'll post it soon.
Byeeeeeee
Hey Priyank thanks so much for spending all this time on my blog and commenting on many of my posts, next time I will have some tea [chi] and cake ready, lol. Anna :)
Oh and toes are important for maintaining your balance, Matthew sleeping is something you don't want to disrupt, so I think you made the right choice to go outside and take more photos!
ps. I don't think you missed it. Your quote says it will be on October 9th and I clicked over to the link and Oct. 9 is the date. I expect to see a photo of the impact here on October 10th! lol.
Great photo - love all those craters!
Thanks for your nice comment, and me too I like the craters too.
Anna :)
I always learn, something new when i came to your blog, i like everything about the space, and i´ve find this photo a special one, a nice contrast of the moon, you have a nice way to take photos, i liked very much.
All the best, have a nice day, see you soon.
José Filipe 14-09-2009
Buen trabajo, saludos.
bravissima!
I was strolling through and I love all of your images!! They are terrific!!
Take Care,
Peter
LOL so, you thought you had missed this important Moon event, eh? Thank God you didn't. Now you can prepare the camera, be ready for October 9, take the shots and delight us with the results :D!
Are you a fan of Ellen DeGeneres? She is funny! But I am not sure how she will do as a judge in American Idol (she is kind lol).
Be ready, darling! ;)
Cheers
Hey Peter there is nothing wrong to be over the moon with your granddaughter. Congrats again. Anna :)
I like Ellen, she kills me every time I watch her, and you are right she is kind, but then we have Simon who tells nothing but truth, lol.
Max, thanks so much for dropping by, means a lot. Anna :)
Great photo. I love it when you point your camera to the night sky. :D
Hugs, JJ
LOL oh yeah...you are suffering from sleep deprivation indeed.
Falling asleep on the computer? Yep, it is a symptom...
Simon is ruthless! But I heard he was leaving the show...
Girl, you are most welcome! You know I like dropping by and checking up on you :)!
Cheers
This moon shot is excellent. Currently, it's raining every day in Bangkok so I don't have such a opportunity to go and shoot some photos : )
Have a nice day.
Cheers,
DSM
Very good shot of the moon. You are such a good photographer. And that was taken without a telescope? Fantastic.
Happy trails.
Such a beautiful shot! I love the shadow and detail...lovely.
Max you said: 'Simon is ruthless! But I heard he was leaving the show...' - he is ruthless, but you know he is usually right, lol, and I think that is why this show is a bit more exciting. He is leaving show, that kind of sucks ... but it will be interesting to find out who will be his replacement?
Thanks Max for visiting again, appreciated. Enjoy your weekend and will see you around again my dear.
Anna :)
Yes I am glad too....
Take care for now TatianaV, wishing you good weekend. Anna :)
Thanks Swubird for your always kind comments, appreciated. Take care for now, Anna :)
If you look up "Blogger Buster" on the net, go to that site and Amanda the site owner has full instructions on how to set it up.
Again, sorry about the confusion!
Take Care,
Peter
'On the morning of October 9, at 4:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (11:30 Universal Time), the upper stage of a Centaur rocket will purposefully crash into the crater Cabeus near the south pole of the moon. Four minutes later, a second probe will fly through the dredged-up lunar debris and analyze the material for signs of water. This event is part of NASA's LCROSS mission (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) to look for water on the surface of the moon. Such water might supply future manned lunar expeditions with drinking water, and allow the fabrication of rocket fuel for missions further into the solar system.
There's a chance... a small chance... that amateur astronomers might see the effects of this impact. A 10" to 12" telescope will be required, as well as a sharp eye, since the event will last just a fraction of a second. Observers in eastern North America and Europe are out of luck... the moon will be washed out by daylight at the time of impact. Observers in western North America and the Pacific will get the best chance at seeing this (ahem) "striking" event.'
And if you need more, here is NASA web link for more
http://lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observation/amateur.htm
Good Luck,
Anna :)