The three hour show will begin Tuesday morning at 1:33, with totality at 2:41. During the hour required for the shadow to cover the complete moon, you'll see the moon revealed in regal splendor not often seen.
Now let's just hope that the weather cooperates!
In the picture at left, the moon appears totally covered by shadow as the earth passes between the moon and the sun, during the lunar eclipse in this Jan. 9, 2001 file photo taken in Kiel, Germany. On Tuesday Dec. 21, 2010 the first day of northern winter, the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. The eclipse begins at 1:33 am EST. 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 2:41 am EST and lasts for 72 minutes. According to NASA the last total lunar eclipse that happened on the winter solstice was Dec. 21, 1638. The next one will Dec. 21, 2094. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)
I don't normally stay up that late; but tonight will likely be the exception. It's been a long time since December 21, 1638 and it's very unlikely that I'll be around for the next one on December 21, 2094.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/20/2531791/lunar-eclipse-at-solstice-a-rare.html#ixzz18esozR8c
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