Moon Preparing to Eclipse Mars: Photos

This morning I got out to take pictures of Mars and the moon in proximity in Taurus.  The shots are very light because it was just before sunrise, and also there is an Airport over the Eastern horizon where I am, which throws a lot of light into the sky.  If I had been able to take pictures 30 minutes earlier, perhaps the image would be sharper, but it was cool to watch in the dawn twilight!  At about 10am the Moon will begin to eclipse Mars, but the sky in North America will be too bright to see it.  However, for those in Honolulu or on a boat in the middle of the North Pacific, the Sun at that moment will not yet be risen, and the eclipse will be visible.  On the other side of the ocean, in Japan and Asia, the horizon will hide the eclipse event, and Mars will rise in front of the Moon, instead of behind like it did here.  JB882JAEFVCR

Mars, Moon, Taurus, Jupiter - 4:43am, July 27, 2011