Once in 372 years!

[Starseeker]

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...ter-solstice-2010-science-shortest-day-first/

Winter Solstice + Lunar Eclipse Tonight--First in 372 Years

In 2010, for the first time since 1638, a total lunar eclipse of a full moon falls on the winter solstice—a stargazing event almost anyone in North America will be able to see tonight, weather permitting.

Occurring at 6:38 p.m. ET Tuesday, the 2010 winter solstice marks the official beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. The shortest day of the year boasts the year's longest shadows and fewest daylight hours.

It's all due to the Northern Hemisphere being tilted farther from the sun than at any other point during the year. As a result, the sun follows its lowest arc of the year across the sky. (Get more winter solstice facts.)

In the early morning hours of the winter solstice day, many sky-watchers will see the first shadings of a total lunar eclipse.

The entire lunar eclipse will be best seen from North America and western South America. In most of Europe and Africa, the moon will dip below the horizon in mid-eclipse.

So, anybody out for some lunar gazing tonight?

 

[Bal-Sagoth]

It is awfully cloudy right now, provided things clear up I am going to check it out.

 

[Hassknecht]

Yup, probably gonna watch the moon a little bit, provided that it’s getting clearer this evening.

 

[UnidentifiedFlyingTard]

It sure knows when to rain at the most inconvenient times here.

 

[The Dutch Ghost]

Sorry, to busy to summon the elder gods/cosmic horrors from beyond the veil and end the age of man.

Stars and moon finally in the right position you know.

But I guess I could look after the ritual is completed and the virgins are sacrificed.

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Would be nice to watch but I hate getting only half a show.

 

[Guiltyofbeingtrite]

Missed it, I'll catch the next one

 

[The Vault Dweller]

I've seen solar eclipses before, but not a lunar one. A damn shame since at the time of this one my area was cloudy at night. I was even awake at that time anyway without having to stay up just for it.

Sincerely,
The Vault Dweller

 

[Alphadrop]

Considering that the entire British Isles is covered in cloud I reckon no one around here saw it.

 

[Hassknecht]

Miſſed it. It was very cloudy around here.
But fortunately, lunar eclipſes happen rather often. The next one is on 15.6.2011.

 

[Blakut]

Not visible from Romania. But i'll get the partial solar one on Jan 4th...

 

[Per]

I'm waiting until we get a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse at the same time.

 

[Blakut]

That's quite impossible.

 

[thegaresexperience]

That's quite impossible.

BUT A MAN CAN DREAM!

 

[Blakut]

Twould be cool though. Maybe if we could get a second moon or something...

 

[erlkaarik]

Well Pluto isn't a planet anymore...


UNESCO probably won't give a damn if we towed Pluto and Charon here.