The Ross Sea party was a component of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-17. Five men were stranded not far away from Cape Evans. Having the full moon was essential, because during polar night the Moon is the only source of natural light other than the extremely dim light of the stars. The weather did not cooperate during the full moon of June, but on 15 July, everything seemed to be just right: calm weather, thick ice, clear skies and a full Moon. The men started their journey in the morning. When the Moon rose, however, the men were surprised to find it was about to be eclipsed. Read more