Tonight only: Total Lunar Eclipse (of the heart)
Posted on 20 Dec 2010 by Desiree Kane
It’s time for winter solstice! According to NASA, Charlotte is in for a treat tonight/Tuesday very early morning. Today is the shortest day and longest night of 2010 and, check this out, the moon will turn deep red!
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.
@wxbrad is reporting that the combination of the winter solstice and total lunar eclipse hasn’t happened in 456 years!
If you end up snapping photos you’d like shared on Twitter, please use the tag #CLTmoon!
be careful tonight, as to ensure a merry Christmas 8]