Total Lunar Eclipse

On August the 28th at 8:50:57 pm local time New Zealand saw the start of the first Total eclipse of the Moon since 2000. Totality started at 9:52:00 pm and I took this photo shortly after that .

Now I know what you're thinking - isn't a Total eclipse when the moon disappears, totally? well my answer to you would be...

"The Moon will still be visible due to refraction of light through the Earth's atmosphere onto the Moon. Because the atmosphere absorbs more of the blue light, the Moon is likely to appear reddish, just as the sky to the west appears orange near sunset."

and yes I did have to turn to the Internet to discover that, here in fact. As we're discussing astronometric phenomena. I thought I'd mention that when we were in the south island last month, we briefly saw the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis at Lake Tekapo. We only saw them for a few moments but it was a wonderful sight, and something I've hoped to see for along time...

North Island with the Moesers

I arrived back in Auckland from my two week holiday in Michigan on July 17th with my parents in tow. Since they only had four weeks in country we hit the ground running and headed straight for Rotorua for a geothermal experience. You can smell the sulphur bubbling from the hot vents scattered throughout this region even before you enter town. The best place to see the thermal activity is at Wai-o-tapu, although I preferred the FREE bubbling mud pit just outside the park.

The next stop on our journey was Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, where we had a great sailing adventure on the Barbary, a sailboat bizarrely once owned by Errol Flynn. Our captain took us to see some Maori rock carvings only accessible from the water. Chuck, a.k.a. Dad, had great fun sailing and didn't hit anything :)

We continued on to Art Deco Napier, a town that was destroyed by earthquake in the 1920s and rebuilt in the style of the period. Even now all new buildings have to be built in the art deco style. We took a lovely walking tour of the architecture, which would have been even better if it weren't for the pouring rain. Luckily, there was a vineyard nearby with copious amounts of alcohol tasting and homemade cheese.

To end our North Island adventure we went to Wellington to relax while Matt finished his last week of work. Next stop, the South Island......

My Brother's Wedding

Matt and Lin were finally married on July 7th and don't they look cute! The wedding was held at the University of Michigan Union and everyone enjoyed it. I had a wonderful time and it was nice being back and seeing my family. It was also nice to be transported from the height of winter in Wellington (without heat) to balmy Michigan.

Congrats to you both!!