Celestia Forums

I tried to get a better rendering of the (earth) moon eclipse that takes the sun light scattering by the atmosphere. I therefore slightly modify the code (only the render.cpp file) to treat
specifically the moon eclipse, the other eclipses are not modified and I created a specific texture inspired by photos found in the review "Sky and Telescope". This was made under Linux. I did
not succeed to compile the last versions of celestia with Visual C++. The rendering depends of the color balance of the monitor it can easily be improved. The code can also be extended to other
planets with atmospheres but I have no idea of the effect!! Introducing the gas composition and densities in the proper Scattering formula perhaps? Here is an example. Leaves a message here if you are interessed by the render.cpp file.
MB

I am sorry. I don't know how to include a .jpg file in this message (Nescape 4.5)!!
[file:///E:/Eclipse%20lune/Ecl_Moon3.jpg]

MB

New try for the image[img][file:///E:/Eclipse%20lune/Ecl_Moon3.jpg]
[/img] I send a mail to Chris withattached files. That I know!!!!!
MB

Does Celestia simulate lunar eclipses as well as solar eclipses ? I haven't checked yet...


-Mad Boris
(not to be confused with MB)

Yes, it works, just look at Io disappearing in the Jupiter's shadow.
What is not yet working are rings' shadows on planets and moons,
isn't it?

I don't know about the ring's shadows, it's difficult to tell when they would appear and on which moon.
I was actually wondering if during an eclipse of Earth's moon, would I see the same coppery red glow ? Or is that asking too much ?


--Mad Boris

Celestia does simulate lunar eclipses. Eclipses of the Galilean satellites do look a bit weird because of the fairly low resolution textures used for shadows. Also, satellite-satellite eclipses are simulated, so you can watch the Galilean moons eclipse each other (though I haven't tested this myself yet.)

Shadows cast by rings onto planets aren't handled yet--I'll fix this soon, though. Celestia also doesn't create colored shadows yet, so no lunar eclipses don't look quite right yet.

--Chris

As I already mentioned I slightly modified the code to try to render the color of the moon eclipse without affecting the other eclipses. Unfortunately I don't know how to post pictures in this forum. Post a message at barat@lcam.u-psud.fr I will send your a colored eclipse (.jpg) and the modified render.cpp file if you want to compile it. By the way this was obtained under linux. Unfortunately I did not succeed to in getting a workable version under Windows; it crashes at the opening. I would appreciate such exe complile with my version of the render.cpp file.
MB