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A photo provided by NASA shows a total lunar eclipse beginning as the full moon is shadowed by the Earth on the arrival of the winter solstice, Tuesday, December 21, 2010 in Arlington, VA. From beginning to end, the eclipse will last about three hours and twenty-eight minutes. (AP Photo/NASA/Bill Ingalls) http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/index.html

Did Anyone Get to See the Eclipse This Morning!

Jen Fad · Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 12:37PM · 648 views
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Skywatchers got an early holiday present this year: A total eclipse of the moon.

Hanging high in the sky, the moon slowly turned from bright silver into a red disk early Tuesday.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth casts its shadow on the full moon, blocking the sun's rays that otherwise reflect off the moon's surface. Some indirect sunlight still pierces through to give the moon its eerie hue.

The 3 1/2 hour celestial spectacle was visible from North and Central America where skies were clear. Portions of Europe and Asia only caught part of the show.

The totality phase — when the moon was completely immersed in Earth's shadow — lasted 72 minutes.

Since the year's only total lunar eclipse coincided with winter solstice, the moon glowed high in the sky.

The last time this occurred was more than three centuries ago on Dec. 21, 1638. It will happen again on Dec. 21, 2094, according to U.S. Naval Observatory spokesman Geoff Chester.

Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye, unlike solar

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/clarification-tot...
Did Anyone Get to See the Eclipse This Morning!

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Jen Fad Central Jersey, NJ

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Comments (7)

MIISRAEL Bride Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 12:46PM

No!
Du..ugh I missed it! ...LOL!

Jen Fad Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 12:50PM

Me, too! I thought my husband told me that he was staying up to watch it only to find out that he missed it also. I guess we'll all have to wait until 2098, eh?

Jen Fad Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 12:51PM

for the next eclipse...

Richard Kigel Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 12:56PM

Hey Jen:

My wife and I were lucky--our bedroom window faces west and we are on the third floor so we got to see the whole miraculous event.

It was truly AWESOME!!!




anita moore Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 1:03PM

Man I missed it. Would have been an awesome vision to watch. Maybe I'll see it on TV, won't be so glorious but Oh well! I envy you brotha Richard. Did you record it!

MIISRAEL Bride Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 1:24PM

Rich you saw it! I've only seen it once in my life that I can remember. But it's a lasting memory!

Jen Fad Tuesday, December 21st 2010 at 5:01PM

Brother Rich,
When I got up this morning around 4:45am, the moon shown in the kitchen like a big bright light that I thought there was a white piece of paper on the floor. I bet the moon must have been a sight to see!

That's too bad for us who didn't get to see it for whatever the reason. I did hear that there were parts of the country that wouldn't see it due to clouds. Sorry about that Brother Clark!

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