West Seattle weekend scene: Closer look at the half-moon

Thanks to Greg for sharing that view of tonight’s half-moon – which just slipped out of view a short time ago in a spectacular red moonset behind Vashon Island. Forecast says we’ll likely wake up to clouds again today, but that they won’t stay.

ADDED: From Jamie – what the moon looked like just before vanishing from view:

Thanks for sharing photos – editor@westseattleblog.com any time!

Kerry August 7, 2011 (9:59 am)

Beautiful! Greg, how do you get a picture like that?

Jasperblu August 7, 2011 (11:00 am)

A very large lens, slow shutter speeds & a tripod. But even then, there’s no guarantee. Or at least I havent managed it yet. Darnit! ;-)

Greg August 7, 2011 (6:59 pm)

Tripod, yes. I shot it with a zoom lens maxed at 250mm then cropped the picture to in effect zoom in further. I used the shutter priority and set the speed at 1/125. If you let the camera determine the speed, you end up with a white blob.

John August 8, 2011 (3:05 pm)

Sorry to be that guy (astronomy “enthusiast”) but it would technically be a quarter moon, not half… the “first quarter” moon is when it is 1/4 way through its monthly cycle. earthsky.org/moon-phases/first-quarter

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