The Winter Solstice at StonehengeWishing everyone the joys of the Holiday season
A Full Moon this Winter Solstice 2010: The exact time for the Winter Solstice (in the northern hemisphere) at Stonehenge is December 21st, 11.39pm (UK time). The sunset on the 21st is at 3.53pm and the sunrise on the 22nd of December at 8.04am. Exceptionally, we can also expect a full moon on December 21st. Since 1793, when The Old Farmer’s Almanac began tracking heavenly events and seasonal changes, the Moon has been full on the first day of winter just nine times. The next occurrence will be in this Winter Solstice.
NASA Science News Dec. 17, 2010: “Everyone knows that "the moon on the breast of new-fallen snow gives the luster of mid-day to objects below." That is, except during a lunar eclipse. The luster will be a bit "off" on Dec. 21st, the first day of northern winter, when the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. For 72 minutes of eerie totality, an amber light will play across the snows of North America, throwing landscapes into an unusual state of ruddy shadow.
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.
If you're planning to dash out for only one quick look - it is December, after all - choose this moment: 03:17 am EST (17 minutes past midnight PST). That's when the Moon will be in deepest shadow, displaying the most fantastic shades of coppery red.”
Personal Comment: Taryn and Tanaquil arrived this afternoon. I was worried about them getting out of the UK with all the snow, but the General Aviation strip they used was better prepared than the much larger international airports. Or perhaps they were lucky, or both. My readers in the US and Canada will be able to see the lunar eclipse in its entirety. For readers in the UK and Western Europe the eclipse will be only partially visible, decreasing in visibility the further east you go.
Since I have a house full of family and guests for the next few days and some of us will be touring some near by military hospitals for a day or two I may not be posting as often as I would otherwise or perhaps I will, depending on where I find Wi-Fi hotspots.
Well Right now Jill It is a lovely Hunters moon.. big beautiful and quite brite! I saw the last lunar event in August 2008, and I caught some in 2009. This one I am just too tired to view it. Too bad because,For the first time in 372 years, the winter equinox and a total lunar eclipse happen on the same day! I really would have like to see the moon turn copper red again!
ReplyDeleteI won't be able to see the lunar eclipse here, as it's cloudy here in Iowa. It snowed about three inches today. I had to go up to Waverly to help do the pages for the Bremer County Independent, as Pat, our sports editor, is in New York getting married! Mainly, I had to put some stuff from a wrestling tournament I covered all day Saturday onto the front sports page and the jump page, and then Anelia had me work on doing a different cropping of a couple of pictures.
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteWishing you (and posters on the JW blog) all the best for the holidays :)
Glad to hear Taryn & Tanaquil arrived home OK, it's a nightmare here in the UK.. the same thing happened last year with the weather and nothing ever changes with how they manage the snow! doh
I've always wanted to go and see Stonehenge. Could do some sort of ritual... place one of your quiz photos in the centre and ask the gods what they are! :D Knowing my luck they'll send a bolt of lightening...
Best wishes for a happy 2011 everyone!, Paul.
jill, seen it this morning when i got up at 4:30 am for work hope you have a great holiday jill
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