Moon Day Info

A total lunar eclipse will be visible just after midnight Eastern Standard Time on December 21, 2010 in North and South America. The beginning of the total eclipse will be visible from northern Europe just before sunrise. The end of the total eclipse will be visible rising at sunset for Japan and northeastern Asia, it also appears very visible to the Philippines just before sunset.

It is the last of two lunar eclipses in 2010, and the first total lunar eclipse in nearly 3 years (from February 2008).

According to NASA North and Central America should both be able to view the entire eclipse, which is estimated to take about 3.5 hours. Total eclipse will begin at 11:41 p.m. PST on Monday, or 2:41 a.m. EST on Tuesday. The totality phase when the moon is entirely inside Earth’s shadow will last a little approximately 72 minutes.

This lunar eclipse actually coincides with the winter solstice, meaning that the moon will appear high in the night sky, aiding visibility for revelers. This is the first time an eclipse has coincided with a solstice since December 21, 1638, and the next one won’t come around again until 2094. The Ursids meteor shower will also be taking place.

The following two lunar eclipses are total, on June 15, 2011 and December 10, 2011. North America will miss the June show and witness only a part of next December’s eclipse.

Total lunar eclipses are full moons which bring endings and stir up sentimental emotions. The relationship in question may be romantic, for established relationships, or business.