Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight – Winter Solstice Happening Now
Published by If you’re like me, you’ve recently wondered why it seems there are less hours in the day – and why is it so shivering cold outside ?! I have an answer. It’s the Winter solstice coupled with a total (Did you hear me? … Total!) lunar eclipse. Can you say "celestial goodies!" – I bet you’re not as excited as I am.
The last time this occurred was in the year 1638. We anticipate that tonight (Monday, December 20,2010) we will experience a total lunar eclipse to accompany the winter solstice. Another Total Lunar Eclipse is not expected until December 21, 2485. I didn’t make any typos, those are the dates. I know, right ?!?
THE WINTER SOLSTICE
The winter solstice is the coldest and longest night of the year because the axis of the Earth is farthest away from the sun. This cold and dark night is also attributed to the sun being beneath the horizon for the longest period of time and the eclipse blocks lights from the sky even more – darkness upon darkness.
Image Credit:www.theweathernetwork.com
THE LUNAR ECLIPSE
A lunar eclipse is when The Earth passes directly between the moon and the sun. The sun, moon and Earth will all be aligned.
Image Courtesy of: www.space.com
WHERE
Outside. Look up at the sky, find the moon, and don’t move until you see something awesome!
WHEN
Approximately 12:30 am Eastern Standard Time. It is expected to last about 3.5 hours until 3:30 am Eastern Standard Time. Click ->HERE<- to find out what time the partial eclipse and total eclipse starts and ends in your time zone.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
You’ll know if you’ve seen the best part of the Lunar Eclipse if you see the sky turn a deep orangish/redish color. The darker the color is the more particulate matter there is in the atmosphere. You might also see a shooting/falling star or two.
OKAY, SO WHY IS IT A BIG DEAL?
I’ll explain. The last time this occurred was 372 years ago on December 21, 1638. The next one is scheduled 475 years from now on December 21, 2485. By design, we are here, alive and breathing right now when this is occurring on December 21, 2010. Let that sink in. I’d say the extremely rare occurrence of this event is enough alone to make it a big deal. The really amazing thing though is that this is when we experience a full moon during a Winter Solstice coupled with a – wait for it … Total Lunar Eclipse!
Image Credit: www.scienceblogs.com
Sidenote
Be sure to visit this article again once the eclipse is over to see pictures and maybe a video (if I don’t fall asleep).
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On December 21, 2010 at 1:10 am
Very good information, great article. Thanks for sharing.
On December 21, 2010 at 3:32 am
nice share
On December 21, 2010 at 3:38 am
you will be able to see the pink colours of the moon if you are in North America
On December 21, 2010 at 3:49 am
I’m very happy that you’re doing the work that you are doing in this site. It’s wonderful and very educational.
On December 21, 2010 at 5:02 am
You are going to keep me with eyes to the moon all night tonight Zaayna. I think this is something me and my children must watch tonight because by 2485 when another occurs, my bones will probably have become marble. It has kept me thinking-there is something magical in our solar system about 21 December-am being constantly reminded to be on a look out for 21 December 2012! My anxieties are there-I want God to keep me alive till that magic date! Great post here!
On December 21, 2010 at 5:45 am
A nice share buddy
On December 21, 2010 at 9:40 am
I missed it!
I was told it was the night of the ( DEC 21,2010 )
I’m so upset, I really wanted to share this moment with my wife
and three children.
I live out so far we can’t get cable or satellite.
I really enjoyed reading your site.
Thank You,
Pete
On December 21, 2010 at 10:07 am
Awesome article I missed it as we were clouded in here in Arizona.
On December 21, 2010 at 12:23 pm
great share!
On December 21, 2010 at 2:25 pm
@ Hakim – you have no idea how much your words are appreciated – sincere thanks!
@ Gaby – Yes, according to Mayan civilization predictions/calculations something major is going to happen on December 21, 2010 – who knows what will happen – I too, am anticipating this date – may G’d keep us here ’til then.
@ Peter – sorry you missed it, I think when people got the dates mixed up because it technically occurred the morning of December 21, 2010 if we go by the standard that a new day starts at 12midnight – I’m sure you can find some videos/pics online though
@ The Quail – you know my husband and I were in a bookstore last night and I saw a book of photos of of Native Americans (pretty cool
) – it was really cloudy here too so I caught glimpses here and there between the clouds.
On December 22, 2010 at 5:38 am
this is amazing
On December 22, 2010 at 5:38 am
wow this is amazing
On December 22, 2010 at 1:22 pm
I really did experienced an unexpected cold night and was asking why the other day. I was unaware of this anomaly. Thanks for sharing the details Zaaynab. It made the experience much cooler with this info.^_^
On December 22, 2010 at 3:09 pm
Oops, in my previous comment, I meant to say December 21, 2012.
@ Sharif, my pleasure
On December 23, 2010 at 6:39 am
I was awake here in the east, but I didn’t go outside because my dogs would have started barking and then my neighbors would put my lights out. I’m kidding of course. On a positive note, the days are going to start getting longer. Hooray!!!