Optional Object: Total Lunar Eclipse of March 2025
I couldn't resist adding this observation as an "Optional Object" even if it's not in the checklist.
Observer Comments
| Target Description | Obviously, there's no "Optional Object" in the award checklist for an eclipse, total or otherwise. An oversight? Anyway, I couldn't resist including it. Obviously, total eclipses are rare events at any given location but partial eclipses aren't all that rare and would make a reasonable target for all candidates from binocular to telescope/imagers. |
| Image Capture Description | I'd set the alarm when the moon would be nearing totality, and had the Seestar ready to set out. Turned out the imaging session was trickier than normal, as the Seestar's software which will normally point directly at the moon automatically didn't recognize the near-totality eclipse as the moon. I had to point in manually, which I haven't done in a while. Once I got the moon centered, everything went easily. |
| Program Links | <Previous | Lunar Program Listings |
| Date and Time Observed | 2025-03-14 03:00:00 |
| Phase Age | 14.5 days |
| Lunar Phase | Full Moon |
| Illumination | 100% |
| Conditions | Transparency: Good. Seeing: Good. |
| Obs. Lat/Long | 42° 17', 073° 57' |
| Capture Software | Seestar |
| Capture Type | Single-image |
| Instrument | Seestar S50 f5.0-250mm FL |
| Camera | Seestar Built-in SONY IMX462 Sensor |