December 21, 2010, the day the great big orbiting cheeseball turned red! You know the moon’s made of cheese, right? Tonight/tomorrow morning marks the first time in 372 years that there will be a lunar eclipse on the same day as the Winter Solstice (the shortest, darkest day of the year). AND it’s a full moon. How exciting! If you’re into the significance of such a momentous event or simply like to gaze up in the sky at pretty celestial things, you’re in for a treat, but you’ll have to wait for it!
Via NASA
The eclipse begins on Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st, at 1:33 am EST (Monday, Dec. 20th, at 10:33 pm PST). At that time, Earth’s shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the “bite” to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 02:41 am EST (11:41 pm PST) and lasts for 72 minutes.
Scientists say the best gander in all its glory will be at 3:17am EST, when the moon will be in the deepest shadow and deepest coppery red, looking something similar to the pic below.
ooooh.
We hope you’ll take this fantastic occasion to pause for moment, refresh your perspective and perhaps sit in meditation.
Do you celebrate the Solstice?
What’s your full moon+lunar eclipse+Winter Solstice pose? We’re thinking it’s got to be sirsasana, or with you know, maybe a dash of ardha chandrasana.
UPDATE 12/21/10 – Happy Winter Solstice! did you watch? Here’s a timelapse video recap.
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Earlier…
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I hope we can see it up in Boston! There’s a snow storm. Either way, I think I’ll just think positively about the year to come.
I seem to never be lucky enough to catch an eclipse kmt!
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YD, your math is the only math I like!
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