Observed the lunar eclipse last night from aboard-ship here in Jebel Ali; I'm not sure what the definition for "dust storm" is, but what we had blowing thru certainly seemed like one to us!  25+ knots of wind from the NW carried a LOT of dust aloft, and we (four members of 'Polar Bear's crew had to set up in the lee (a sheltered area on deck).  We used 10x50 and 9x63 binoculars (tripod-mounted) to observe penumbral and then umbral contact, but lost sight of the Moon at about 0610 when clouds obscured the Western horizon and the winds began gusting to 30+ knots.

Well, I've observed solar and lunar eclipses in a variety of conditions; the top of a volcano in Hawaii, McMurdo Sound in Antarctica, and the side of a mountain in the Austrian Alps are a few good examples--but I'd never tried observing in conditions like those!  A new experience to record in my observing journal., and a lot of fun.  I report as well that my optics suffered no ill effects from the fine dust.

Today we went to Ibn Battuta Mall to see the "House of Wisdom" exhibits; very impressive and informative!  I especially liked the full-sized display of an ancient astrolabe, AND the exhibit about Ibn Battuta himself.  I had heard of this great navigator and traveler before--what seaman hasn't?--but I learned far more than most Western sources reveal about his travels and experiences by perusing the comprehensive displays.

Tomorrow--back to sea! 

Regards;

Tom Epps