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.
