Total Lunar Eclipse of 2011

On June 16, 2011 there will be a total lunar eclipse visible to the Philippines. This is one of the two total lunar eclipses that will be visible in the Philippines, the other being on the 10th of Dec. The moon will pass almost exactly in front of the Earth's shadow and thus a totality of 1 hour and 40 mins. However, the moon will set before the moon exits the umbra.

Below is the time line of the eclipse phases predicted by Fred Espenak as provided by the Astronomical League of the Philippines

	TIME  (PST)	ALTITUDE	AZIMUTH
Moon Enters Penumbra	01:24:27am	45 deg	212 deg S
Moon Enters Umbra	02:22:57am	37 deg	225 deg S
Moon Enters Totality	03:22:29am	26 deg	234 deg SW
Maximum Totality	04:13:44am	16 deg	240 deg SW
Moon Exits Totality	05:02:42am	06 deg	244 deg SW
Moonset	05:30:00am	00 deg	246 deg SW
Moon Exits Umbra (not visible)	06:02:14am	----------	-----------
Moon Exits Penumbra (not visible)	07:00:41am	----------	-----------

Comet Hyakutake at BenCab Museum

While I was studying in Dumaguete, my cousin tagged me in one of her photos in facebook. It was a picture of an astronomy related painting that she took from the BenCab Museum in Baguio City. When we came home to Baguio I finally got the chance to see the wonderful paintings in BenCab's museum. Being a visual artist as well I was really fascinated! Finally I got to see the painting - it was entitled Comet Hyakutake, an oil painting by Elmer Borlongan. Since I began doing astronomy paintings I enjoyed seeing other artistic creations of space.

 

Elmer Borlongan (below) is a fine arts graduate from the University of the Philippines and an artist awardee of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Thin Waxing Crescent

After seeing the sunset from Baguio, we went down to Baguio's athletic bowl where they were holding the night market. I was still familiarizing myself with my aunt's camera settings for low-light photography by taking shots of SM and Baguio Cathedral. Later, I noticed the crescent moon setting in the west so I went across the field to get a better view. The earthshine on the moon's dark side was clear from my view.

The Setting Sun from SM City Baguio

 We were taking a walk one afternoon in Baguio (May 5, 2011), when we decided to stop by SM. We decided to rest in the veranda on the 4th floor when we saw the sun setting amongst the clouds over the view of Baguio city. Luckily, I had my aunt's camera (Sony DSC-H50) with me so I tested it out.

the Sun's disk peaking out of the clouds. Sony DSC-H50 red filter

fiery sun with built-in red filter of the Sony DSC-H50

Waning Crescent

I got up at around 6:30 AM PST to take out the garbage here in Quezon hill, Baguio City, when on the way up back to the house I saw the crescent moon. Later that morning when the moon was around 80 degrees overhead I borrowed my Aunt's camera - a Sony DSC-H50. It was already bright so I couldn't capture finer detail from the moon, and I wasn't familiar with the features of the camera.

Orb of Light

Glued above the sky at night
Glowing orb of shining light
Sweet reflection of Sun's rays
Changing faces day-by-day

Blemished scars of meteors fall
Seen in shadowed crater walls
Holds the story of time past
In its surface record cast

In Earth's shadow masked in blood
Coat of fear, drives people mad
Hide the Sun through full eclipse
Fill the day in darkness bliss

Pull the seas up with your tides
In your light let starlight hide
And high above, let ring of light
Surround you in such glorious sight

To the Next Stargazers of Silliman University

 During my stay in the Physics Department of Silliman University, I have been to familiarize myself with the use of different telescopes. I experienced troubleshooting, getting rust and dust all over my clothes, and putting up and taking down the telescopes. I have taken a look into these telescopes with excitement and with each new thing I learned, my interest in astronomy grew.

 Over the years I have learned about the different mounts and optical designs for the telescopes. I have gotten familiar with which eyepiece to use for a particular target and how to focus to the sharpest image possible. I studied the optics of the telescopes, how to get their magnification and all.

With the added knowledge I gained, I have been able to share it with my fellow BS Physics students. I am glad whenever their interest seems to be perked up. Also, I have enjoyed sharing astronomy during stargazing sessions to students (irregardless of course), church mates and friends who always want to learn more about the wonders we can share under the night sky. The nights I spent in the Astronomy and Meteorology Observation Deck during stargazing sessions and data gathering will always be remembered. I am thankful for being able to spend time to look at the stars in awe.

To the future stargazers, astronomy enthusiasts and amateur astronomers of SU, keep it up! You have learned a couple of things from me and I am sure you will learn more in the future as you familiarize yourself with the night sky and the telescopes. Our library has a wonderful collection of Astronomy books which has helped me in my thesis and in the Astronomy Olympiad. What you may not know now you are sure to learn through experience. God bless and clear skies!