Skygazers across North America will enjoy a total lunar eclipse early in the morning on December 21, lasting more than three hours, NASA said.
For observers on the east coast of the U.S., the eclipse will last from 1.33 am EST through 5:01 am, EST. Viewers on the west coast will be able to tune in a bit earlier. For them, the eclipse begins at 10:33 pm, PST on December 20 and lasts until 2:01 am PST on December 21.
NASA has planned various ways to help the public enjoy the total lunar eclipse, including live web chats.
Astronomers at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama will host a pair of live web chats to answer questions and help make the rare celestial experience one to remember. Marshall Center astronomer Rob Suggs will hold the first chat from 4 – 5 p.m. EST on Dec. 20 and discuss the best ways to view the eclipse. From 12 a.m. – 5 a.m., Marshall researcher Mitzi Adams will answer questions as the eclipse passes across the continental United States. A live video feed of the eclipse will be available on the chat site at: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/lunar_eclipse.html
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., has set up a lunar eclipse Flickr group for those who want to share or view photos of the eclipsed moon. NASA will choose one photographer to have his or her work featured as official JPL wallpaper on their website. To learn more, visit:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/imthere/
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the orbits of the Earth, Moon and Sun are lined up just right; the Moon will pass behind the Earth and enter the Earth’s shadow. The Earth’s shadow blocks out most of the light from the Sun and the Moon goes dark! Lunar eclipses always occur when there is a full moon.
For more information on all NASA activities regarding the lunar eclipse, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/watchtheskies.
