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

[APOD Robot]

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]

oooh, datsa NICE!!

[revloren]

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]

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

[stowaway]

Nice picture - Happy Birthday to my favorite website - APOD

[angelmendoza09]

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.

[biddie67]

Spectacular!! Wonderful shot!!

[Satyr]

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.

[MrsDK]

"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.

[Ann]

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?

Click to view full size image

Unique to planet Earth. Photo: AP.

Ann

[moonstruck]

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

[orin stepanek]

It's a keeper.

[ChrisKotsiopoulos]

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]

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

[NoelC]

Spectacular, simply spectacular.

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

-Noel

[Indigo_Sunrise]

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

Just wonderful!

[rufnqaz]

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

[neufer]

• • 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.

[owlice]

Click to play embedded YouTube video.