Solstice, Full Moon, and Lunar Eclipse Tonight

Posted by NG Kids in News Bites on December 20, 2010
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Winter officially begins late tonight and this winter solstice will be a rare event. Not only will there be a full moon, but there will also be a total lunar eclipse starting after 1:30 a.m. ET, 10:30 p.m. PT.

What is a lunar eclipse? It is when the sun, the Earth, and the moon are all in line with each other, with the Earth in the middle. The Earth’s shadow is cast onto the moon, making it appear dim. Lunar eclipses happen twice a year (the last one was in June), so they aren’t especially rare. What is rare is for the solstice, a full moon, and a lunar eclipse to all happen at the same time. The last time that happened was 372 years ago in the year 1638!

Learn how to see tonight’s winter solstice and lunar eclipse on National Geographic News.

Think you’ve got your moon facts straight? Quiz Your Noodle and find out!

Photograph by Tunc Tezel, TWAN

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Categories: Space

Comments

  1. Pinky Caine
    December 20, 2010, 8:07 pm

    I hope I am awake for that and can see it! I think it is a very big deal! I have never seen a lunar eclipse! Winter starts at 11:38 pm tonight! I can maybe be awake for both of them?

  2. naturephotographer
    December 20, 2010, 8:54 pm

    I am sooooo excited. My brother and I are getting up at 2:30 to watch

  3. Lizania41101opki
    December 21, 2010, 1:01 am

    Me and my step mom are looking outside and we just see the shadow of something wat could that be?

  4. bali11
    December 21, 2010, 6:33 am

    I cant belive i missed it. We were outside when it happened but i did not realize it was happening today until i got back. It looks so beatiful in the picture.:(

  5. iloveyou(:
    January 3, 2011, 10:21 am

    This is soo pretty i love it!

  6. Iwuvyou:)
    January 3, 2011, 10:23 am

    I would love to see that i cant believe i missed it it would be the highlight of my day if i could have seen it

  7. bob123
    January 3, 2011, 12:58 pm

    that looks so cool

  8. bluetinypeople
    January 3, 2011, 1:09 pm

    well that is an awesome picture

  9. animallover123
    January 5, 2011, 8:11 am

    I didn’t see it but it looks and sounds awesome

  10. barnowl24601
    January 24, 2012, 2:01 am

    I saw it is was amazing!!! :)

    barnowl24601

  11. anto-orea
    February 21, 2012, 4:58 pm

    this is cool

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