Day 1.041: Dark side of the moon

Just like last year, we have enjoyed a lunar eclipse this evening. Unlike last year, we have had a clear night and watched the beginning rather than the end of the eclipse and I got some half-decent pictures.

Of course the side we see from here is never the dark side, however dark it may be, and the dark side is no darker, just turned away from our view. Right now both sides are dark thanks to the eclipse. Ah well, logic is over-rated if you ask me.

Day 52: Full moon rising

OK, it's not a great picture, but it is a full-moon darkened by the shadow of the Earth, not a waning crescent as you might think. The fully eclipsed moon was impossible to spot thanks to twilight and clouds, but we got a spectacular view of the early stages of its re-emergence. It really looks very different from the normal crescent phases, the boundary between light and dark seems softer and the light striking the dark part of the moon is really unlike the Earthshine on the new moon. It is nice to think that all over the world (wherever it is dark and the moon is up anyway) people are seeing the same sight, friends and family far away (OK, you're probably asleep, but give me my moment!).

Today we visited Saratoga Springs and joined in the celebrations of Dr Seuss' birthday (103 yesterday - or would have been) at the Children's Museum, where the girls were read to by the Mayor, dressed up, did some shopping in an old-fashioned grocery store and slid down a firemen's pole amongst other things. You may get some pictures later in the week.

Snowman update: He lost his eyes at some point today, but he's otherwise still in one piece.