Totality will last 72 minutes and then the Moon will start to reemerge from the umbra - replaying the eclipse events in reverse. 1) Partial eclipse begins 2) Total eclipse beings 3) Mid-eclipse 4) Total eclipse ends 5) Partial eclipse ends Each number corresponds with the beginning of a specific stage in the eclipse. This diagram shows the progression of the total lunar eclipse on December 20th and December 21st, 2010. However, the exciting part of the eclipse won’t begin until a half hour later. On the east coast of the United States, the lunar eclipse officially begins around 1 am on the morning of December 21 st. If you don’t want to be extremely tired at work or school on Tuesday by staying up for the entire event, you can still see different stages of the eclipse in just over an hours’ time. The duration of this total lunar eclipse is approximately four and half hours. To watch a lunar eclipse you don’t need to use a telescope or any special equipment simply go outside and enjoy the view. Observers in East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand will see the Moon rising during the eclipse while those in Europe, West Africa, and South America will see the Moon set during the eclipse. Provided they have clear skies, viewers should be able to see the entire eclipse from start to finish. North America will have the best seat in the house for this total lunar eclipse. For a lunar eclipse, anyone located on the night side of the Earth has the opportunity to observe it. To view a solar eclipse, one has to travel to a very specific location on Earth. The eclipse is noticeable once the Moon enters the umbra.Ī lunar eclipse is much easier to observe than a solar eclipse. Earth creates two shadows: the outer, pale shadow called the penumbra, and the dark, inner shadow called the umbra. During an eclipse the Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the Moon. When the Sun, Earth, and Moon, are precisely aligned, a lunar eclipse will occur. This shows the geometry of a lunar eclipse. When the Moon reaches one of the two points in its orbit where it lines up exactly with the Sun and the Earth, either a solar or lunar eclipse will occur. Although an eclipsed Moon is always full, a lunar eclipse will not occur every time there is a full Moon since the Moon’s orbit is slightly tilted compared to the plane in which Earth orbits the Sun. In other words, the Earth is preventing sunlight from reaching the Moon. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are precisely aligned and the Moon passes into the shadow of the Earth. During the waning hours of December 20th and into the early hours of December 21st, people in North America will have the chance to witness a total lunar eclipse. Of the handful of thrilling astronomical events a person can witness in their lifetime, such as meteor showers, planetary transits and oppositions and auroras, solar and lunar eclipses are a must-see. Binoculars or a telescope will reveal countless craters, ancient lava flows, and other intriguing lunar features. It is simple to view the changing phases from day to day, with your naked eyes. The Moon is one of the most easily recognized celestial objects and arguably the easiest one to observe.
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