Lunar eclipse observed with a radio telescope

These moving images show the moon during the total lunar eclipse which was observed from February 20 through 21, 2008. Using the ACA antenna with fast servo performance, we successfully obtained a two-dimensional image of the radio intensity variation of the moon during the total eclipse. The left is an optical image of the moon photographed with a digital camera, and the right is a radio image of the moon. In the radio image, colors nearer to red indicates higher intensity (higher temperature). These images show that the radio intensity weakens as the eclipse progresses, and it increases after the eclipse; we can find that the temperature of the moon surface varies widely during the eclipse.

NEW ARTICLES