Tuesday's total lunar eclipse as seen from Arlington, Va. Photo credit/NASA photo
The full lunar eclipse of Monday night and early Tuesday was spectacular, according to eye witness accounts gathered by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and others.
“Was spectacular,” said one witness from the Dominican Republic who participated in a long web chat hosted by NASA during the event.
“The sky in Washington, D. C. definitely cooperated,” said another in the nation’s capital. “The lunar eclipse was spectacular.”
The eclipse coincided with the winter solstice, the first full day of winter, which made the viewing all that much more dramatic–in locales across North America where skies were clear.
The event unfolded over three hours, 28 minutes starting Tuesday at 1:33 a.m., EST.
The period of totality — or length of time the Earth’s shadow was cast across the full moon lasted 72 minutes.
“Crisp clear skies in New York,” wrote one observer. “Easy to see. Fabulous view.”
“The sky is completely clear,” said an observer in Philadelphia. “The sight was awesome.”
From Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada came this message: “It was snowing. Didn’t get to see it.”
Many people who planned to witness the eclipse, simply forgot to set their alarm clocks and get up in time.
There’s always a next time.
The next total lunar eclipse coinciding with the winter solstice is forecast for 2094.
Or you can check NASA’s web coverage.
Spaceweather.com has some spectacular coverage as well, including photos taken by early risers in many locales from across the globe.