Well, when I set my alarm there wasn't a cloud in the sky. And I just figured I'd take pictures when I woke back up. Sadly, I didn't get to see it. At least I don't live in 1554... I'd be out of luck. ;)
Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.
Labels: lunar eclipse, space, stuff I get elsewhere
Or at least I am. An eclipse saved Columbus.
Stranded on the coast of Jamaica, the explorers were running out of food and faced with increasingly hostile local inhabitants who were refusing to provide them with any more supplies.
Columbus, looking at an astronomical almanac compiled by a German mathematician, realised that a total eclipse of the Moon would occur on February 29, 1504.
He called the native leaders and warned them if they did not cooperate, he would make the Moon disappear from the sky the following night.
The warning, of course, came true, prompting the terrified people to beg Columbus to restore the Moon -- which he did, in return for as much food as his men needed. He and the crew were rescued on June 29, 1504.
Full article here. Enjoy the eclipse tomorrow night.
Labels: lunar eclipse, space, stuff I get elsewhere
