APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun 18)

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APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun 18)

Post by APOD Robot » Sat Jun 18, 2011 4:06 am

Image Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of the Goats

Explanation: Thunderstorms almost spoiled this view of the spectacular June 15 total lunar eclipse. Instead, storm clouds parted for 10 minutes during the total eclipse phase and lightning bolts contributed to this dramatic skyview. Captured with a 30 second exposure, the scene also inspired what the editor considers may be the best title yet for a picture during the 16 year history of Astronomy Picture of the Day. (Title credit to Chris K.) Of course, the lightning reference clearly makes sense, and the shadow play of the dark lunar eclipse was widely viewed across planet Earth in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. The picture itself, however. was shot from the Greek Ikaria island at Pezi. That area is known as "the planet of the goats" because of the rough terrain and strange looking rocks.

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Beyond
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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by Beyond » Sat Jun 18, 2011 4:24 am

oooh, datsa NICE!! :D
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revloren

Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by revloren » Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:35 am

I'd say it looks like it almost has to be Photoshoped, from at least 3 other pictures. But it could be!?

An amay-zing picture, anyway.

Takman

Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by Takman » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:01 am

Nice picture but I don't know how the moon and stars got in front of the clouds?

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by stowaway » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:31 am

Nice picture - Happy Birthday to my favorite website - APOD

angelmendoza09

Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by angelmendoza09 » Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:32 am

This is a bea-u-u-u-tiful picture!! No wonder you guys are the photographers for APOD! It makes me want to start a poem...

As lightning touches the sea like glowing upside-down tree branches
From clouds like cotton-candy floating up above,

I'm stopping here. I haven't written poetry since I was a kid. But your picture was inspiring me... The colors in the sea (if it was frozen, I'd want to skate on it) and the clouds...

A.M.

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by biddie67 » Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:47 am

Spectacular!! Wonderful shot!!

Satyr

Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by Satyr » Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:52 am

Takman wrote:Nice picture but I don't know how the moon and stars got in front of the clouds?
it says it's a 30 second exposure, so if there were no clouds at some point that'll mess a bit with the perspective, which is also why it looks photoshopped since the lighting will look unnatural given the lightning isn't visible for 30 seconds, of course.

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by MrsDK » Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:59 am

"Greek Ikaria islands" - So, the sun is also in this picture (through headstrong, headlong Icarus). That's an unusual concept for a lunar eclipse photo.

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by Ann » Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:13 pm

Beautiful image! I like the title, too. "Planet of the goats", why not? Where else in the universe do you think you'll find goats?
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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by moonstruck » Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:38 pm

Well, I'll be. That is so cool. Thanks Chris.

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by orin stepanek » Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:14 pm

It's a keeper. 8-)
Orin

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by ChrisKotsiopoulos » Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:32 pm

Thank you all for your kind words! I feel very lucky for being there at the right spot, the right time.

I use photoshop to enhance the information that is already there and to fix cosmetic imperfections (hot pixels etc). See for example these photos I took the same night. They are both completely unprocessed (only resized).
For example, by adjusting the 'shadows/highlights' I make the dark areas (rocks, ground) brighter and decrease the lightning excess brightness.
http://www.greeksky.gr/Temp/IMG_2673.JPG
http://www.greeksky.gr/Temp/IMG_2675.JPG

About the stars, some stars are either too bright and shine throw the thin clouds or they were simply covered with clouds during the 30 second exposure.

It was really tricky to find the ideal combination of exposure time and ISO because too much of it would burn the lightning area, and less would underexpose the rest of the scenery.

guilbon

Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by guilbon » Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:33 pm

This pic is so great on my screen , it will stay till the next amazing pic from APOD
Thanks a lot for your work , it is already the most waited email of the day for me ....and best wishes for your anniversary

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by NoelC » Sat Jun 18, 2011 10:52 pm

Spectacular, simply spectacular.

Photography at its finest, with all the elements that make it aesthetic, interesting, and scientifically pertinent.

-Noel

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by Indigo_Sunrise » Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:32 am

Awesome image! Talk about 'right place, right time!'
Absolutely the best title yet! :D

Just wonderful!

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by rufnqaz » Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:07 pm

I have been a fan of APOD for several years, and this photo is perhaps the most beautiful yet.

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by neufer » Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:24 am

    • King Henry IV, Part i Act 3, Scene 1

    GLENDOWER: Give me leave
    • To tell you once again that at my birth
      The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,
      The goats ran from the mountains, and the herds
      Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields.
Art Neuendorffer

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Re: APOD: Lightning Eclipse from the Planet of... (2011 Jun

Post by owlice » Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:56 am

Click to play embedded YouTube video.
A closed mouth gathers no foot.

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