Total Lunar Eclipse Will Take Place on December 2010

Total Lunar Eclipse December 2010

Lunar eclipse, lunar eclipse 2010, solar eclipse, winter solstice, winter solstice 2010. For the first time in three years, a total lunar eclipse will be visible on December 21 for approximately one hour. December 21st marks not only the shortest day of the year, but the first day of winter for those in the northern hemisphere.

It is estimated that the eclipse will begin to be visible at 11:40pm PST and end at approximiately 12:50am. A total lunar eclipse means that the the shadow cast from earth will completely cover the moon.

A full lunar eclipse will take place in the early hours of December 21 in the night skies over Toronto. And, unlike meteor showers and the northern lights, you don't need to leave the city to see it. So long as the sky is clear, the phenomenon will be widely visible.

What's perhaps even more noteworthy about this event is that it takes place on the winter solstice -- though I can't imagine this'll mean a whole lot to those not immersed in New Age philosophy (weird link!). But regardless of the date -- and the fact that it might be a tad chilly outside -- I think full lunar eclipses are pretty damn cool, particularly when the moon takes on that odd red glow.

Here's Nasa with the details: "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."

Lunar eclipse, lunar eclipse 2010, solar eclipse, winter solstice, winter solstice 2010.