Light Pollution: bad for our health and pocketbooks

An excerpt from an article that was published in the Huntsville Forester on January 5th:

We're only a few weeks past the winter solstice, and daylight is still in short supply.At this darkest time of the year it seems appropriate to stop and contemplate the night and what it means to humans and nature....

Keep reading here

LEARN MORE!

1. Muskoka Heritage Foundation brochure: "Help Preserve Our Night Sky"
2. Muskoka Watershed Council technical bulletin: "Dark Sky Lighting"
3. Learn more about the Torrance Barrens, Dark Sky Reserve
4. Visit the International Dark Sky Association website

photos above are from IDA website

Lunar Eclipse Photos

I stepped outside last night around 2am to have a look at the eclipse. It was cold out in Muskoka last night: -16! I've seen lunar eclipses before but this one was special since it fell on the same day as the winter solstice. There is a strange feeling that comes along with the moon, especially when it's full, don't you think?

the beginning of the eclipse

halfway there...

We were lucky to have a clear night in Muskoka!

I went inside to warm up for a bit and came back out around 2.45am to a red moon. I wish I had a better camera...the moon looked like it was popping out of the sky.

A bit blurry, but very dark red around 3am

On a stewardship side note, here are some links I thought you might find interesting:

Related to the night sky, Why it's important to consider the concept of dark skies, a Muskoka example, and what you can do on your property

Did anyone see any shooting stars?

Did you get some photos or videos?

Send them to me and I'll post them to the blog!

Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight!

Let's hope for a clear night!

It's the winter solstice tonight and mother nature has a couple of bonuses in store!

Bundle up and head outside to catch a glimpse of the total lunar eclipse!

In Muskoka, it will happen early Tuesday morning around 1:45am. The moon should look entirely red an hour or so later.

No equipment needed; clear skies pending, it will be visible with the naked eye.

During a lunar eclipse, the Earth is exactly in line between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light from bouncing off the moon.

An added bonus: A minor meteor shower could send a few shooting stars across the sky during the height of the moon cover!

Want to know more?
Read this Toronto Star Article

Interested in the science?
Check our this site dedicated to Lunar Eclipses for Beginners

Come back tomorrow and let me know what you saw!
Leave a comment or email me a photo and I'll post it to the blog.
Happy gazing!