For more information, please contact:

6 Warner Rd.

Warner, NH 03278

(603) 456-2011

info@madgetech.com

Last night, people around the world flocked outside to

view the one of the most visually stunning views of the

moon in decades. This unusual event was the

combination of both a Super moon and lunar eclipse, a

combination that has not taken place since 1982.

The simultaneous phenomenon mesmerized many, and brought up a

multitude of questions. Many of those questions revolve around what we

know best here at MadgeTech; temperature.

Although the iridescent red glow of the "blood moon" suggests heat,

according to astronomical journals, the surface temperature of the

moon actually dropped extremely low during this event. During a lunar

eclipse in 1971, the surface temperature before and after the eclipse

measured around 150 °F, whereas during the eclipse, temperatures

reached as low as -150 °F. That is around a 300 ° temperature difference within a matter of about one hour.

The brilliant color display was actually a result of light being cast through the earth's atmosphere, much like we see in

everyday sunrises and sunsets.

In addition to being a great spectacle, NASA is able to use eclipses to gather important information about the moon. By using

tools to monitor the surface temperature, they can learn about the structure of the surface of the moon, and how it generates and holds heat.

Previously, MadgeTech has worked with NASA in the monitoring of temperature and humidity levels at their Vehicle

Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The yearlong study was conducted in an attempt to determine the cause of temperature fluctuations.

Although MadgeTech has not developed data loggers for this application, it is always interesting to see how temperature plays such an important role in so many things, both on earth and beyond.