Did you know that you will get to see a super blue blood moon tonight? The Philippines, the rest of Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand will witness in a few hours a total lunar eclipse coinciding with a supermoon. This is also called “blood” moon because of the red tinge that the moon takes on during the eclipse. This super rare celestial event hasn’t happened in 150 years. If you’re a photography hobbyist or someone who is fascinated by full moons, eclipses, and the like, then you should know the exact time of the full moon, lunar eclipse, and moonrise tonight.
According to forecasts, the moon will rise at 5:42 p.m. today. It won’t be full upon rising, because the fullness of the moon occurs at 9:26 tonight. The total lunar eclipse or supermoon is expected to start within a minute into the full moon. So, for all of us who are eager to observe the blood moon, we should be out and ready to take photos before 9:27 p.m.
Why is it called supermoon? It has something to do with the moon’s location relative to Earth. The moon appears bigger and brighter than usual when it is at its perigree, or the point in its orbit at which it is nearest to our planet. Astronomers and other skywatchers say a supermoon appears 14% bigger and 30% brighter. Catch the supermoon this afternoon during moonrise, when it is just starting to emerge from the horizon.
Total Lunar Eclipse, Blood Moon and Supermoon 2018 Photo Tips
So how do you get that perfect photo of a super rare event such as the super blue blood moon? You need both skill and a good camera to make sure you get that post-worthy photo. If you have a DSLR camera, here are six tips that could help you:
1. Use a big lens – at least 300 mm or more. Using a normal lens will not do you any good. The moon may look big when you look at it in the sky. Remember that your eyes are like a 50mm fixed lens. Using a wide-angle lens will just make the moon smaller and appear to be like a white dot in a black sky. Using a 300 mm telephoto lens is the best way for you to go. And remember, always capture the moon with an object beside it like a house or a tree to emphasize its size.
2. Use a tripod or a stable surface to mount your camera. A tripod is your best friend at these times. In taking pictures of the moon, you want to make sure that you get a crisp photo. The only way to do it is to make sure your hands don’t shake when you hit that button. A timer will also come in handy. Once you’ve set your camera to your preferred setting, use the timer to make it extra precise.
3. High shutter speed, high ISO setting and high resolution. The moon continuously moves and the naked eye doesn’t see that. For you to take sharp detailed images, you will need a high ISO setting to make sure you get the right amount of light and a high shutter speed to make those images sharp and detailed. A high shutter speed could be around 1/15 (1/15 of a second) , 1/30, 1/60 or 1/25.
4. Keep adjusting the aperture as the eclipse progresses. As the moon gets darker, a wider aperture is what you need to let more light in. Keep adjusting the settings as the moon gets darker. Start with an f/11 for a bright moon, then reduce to a lower number as the moon darkens. Remember, a lower digit on your f-stop means a wider lens or a wider opening for more light to come into your photo.
5. Know where and when you are going to shoot. Planning is important here. Where will you set up your equipment? What will be your foreground? Where is the best eastern spot to observe the moon rising?
6. Keep shooting. Getting that perfect photo means you need to take a lot of it. Keep shooting and play around with the settings. Better to take a lot than to take just a few. There will always be that one photo you would choose among the many you’ve taken.
Can I take photos of the lunar eclipse using my smartphone?
Phone camera users are not likely to capture the details of the super blue blood moon’s surface. However, when you have a creative angle and useful elements like trees and buildings as foreground, your photos will still look captivating. Remember to turn off the camera’s flash. You need only natural light to take high-quality photos of the moon.
If you want to watch the progress of tonight’s total lunar eclipse, follow this link on Space.com. The site is live streaming via Slooh starting at 6:45 p.m. Philippine time (5:45 a.m. ET).