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PHOTOMETRY OF TWO TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSES

Abstract

This talk will cover brightness measurements of the Moon as it underwent two total eclipses, which happened on May 16, 2022 and November 8, 2022. The writer was able to measure the brightness of the Moon during totality on both dates. The standard B, V, J and H photometric filters were used. These have respective wavelength ranges of 390-490, 505-595, 1150-1350 and 1500-1800 nm. The respective J- and H-filter brightness values of the totally eclipsed Moon on May 16 (near 4:13 UT) were –1.83 and 0.29 magnitudes. The V-filter brightness dropped by around 11.2 magnitudes or a factor of 30,000. The respective J and H brightness values on November 8 near 10:40 UT were –7.36 and –8.30 magnitudes, respectively. These correspond to respective brightness drops of 7.31 and 7.13 magnitudes or factors of 840 and 710 compared to the full Moon phase. Therefore, the totally eclipsed Moon drops much more in visible light than in near-infrared light.

Acknowledgements

The speaker is grateful for a faculty Development grant that enabled him to purchase the SSP-4 photometer.

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