Monday, December 20, 2010

Soltice Lunar Eclipse, Tomorrow, December 21

Seeing red: You'll have to stay up late or get get up early to see it, but according to NASA, tomorrow, December 21, "the first day of northern winter, when the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow, for 72 minutes of eerie totality, an amber light will play across the snows of North America, throwing landscapes into an unusual state of ruddy shadow.

"The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST). At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the 'bite' to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST (11:41 pm PST) and lasts for 72 minutes. If you're planning to dash out for only one quick look -­ it is December, after all -­ choose this moment: 03:17 am EST (17 minutes past midnight PST). That's when the Moon will be in deepest shadow, displaying the most fantastic shades of coppery red."

Anyone plan to take a peek at the coppery red moon?
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14 comments:

  1. BECKYDecember 20, 2010 at 9:41 AM

    I do! I do! I just read this on weather.com, earlier this morning! I'm usually up at midnight anyway!! Sounds beautiful. Just hope it won't be cloudy or rainy! :(

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  2. SiouxDecember 20, 2010 at 10:01 AM

    Thanks for the post. It sounds like it will be a gorgeous sight. Like Becky, I'm often up at midnight...perhaps that will be my last sight before drifting off to sleep.

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  3. LynnDecember 20, 2010 at 11:38 AM

    Hope I can stay up that late :-)

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  4. Donna VolkenanntDecember 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM

    Hi Becky,
    I'm with you about hoping it won't rain. Its' drizzling out there now.

    Hi Sioux,
    You're welcome. If I can keep my eyes open, I'm gonna take a gander.

    Hi Lynn,
    Yeah. It's hard staying up late, especially when it's cold outside.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SallyDecember 20, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    Now that you've mentioned it I'll step outside at the right time and take a look. It's not so cold here, yet, in west Texas. 76 degrees and sunny today.

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  6. Ellie GarrattDecember 20, 2010 at 4:07 PM

    Oh, I'd love to. But with have thick snow cloud cover :( Hope you get some great pictures!

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  7. Donna VolkenanntDecember 20, 2010 at 4:47 PM

    Hi Sally,
    Wow! 76 degrees. You should be able to get a great view with those clear skies.
    I remember those days. We lived in El Paso for almost a year and a half. Great weather.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  8. Donna VolkenanntDecember 20, 2010 at 4:48 PM

    Hi Ellie,
    Snow clouds? We have mostly mist here, but I'm hoping the clouds will lift tonight.
    Donna

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  9. Pat WahlerDecember 20, 2010 at 4:58 PM

    I wish I could, but looks like clouds will block the view.

    Pat
    www.critteralley.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. TammyDecember 20, 2010 at 6:25 PM

    Thanks for the heads-up. Hope I'm up then. I've found that setting an alarm never works for me. The need to sleep eclipses all at that hour...!

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  11. Betty Craker HendersonDecember 20, 2010 at 9:36 PM

    For some reason I just can't stay up late anymore. I sure miss a lot, like meteor showers and moon eclipses but I reckon God can manage without me. After all we got into this century with me sleeping right through it and with the wonders of television I can relive it all later. WOW!

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  12. Donna VolkenanntDecember 20, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    Hi Pat,
    Yep. Clouds get in the way.

    Hi Tammy,
    So true about sleep eclipsing everything at that hour.

    Hi Betty,
    My energy level isn't what it used to be, either.

    Donna

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  13. CamilleDecember 21, 2010 at 3:59 PM

    At that time, it will be late afternoon here in Australia...I wonder if we will be able to see anything?

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  14. Donna VolkenanntDecember 21, 2010 at 4:28 PM

    Hi Camille,
    You're in Australia? You lucky koala bear, you. Hope you're having a great time.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete

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