2000 Lunar Eclipse. Photo Credit/NASA
North America is in for a celestial treat late Monday and early Tuesday, Dec. 20-21, as the moon enters a full eclipse.
The overnight event starts at 12:29 a.m., EST, which is 5:29 UTC.
That’s when the Earth’s shadow begins to fall across the lunar landscape.
This eclipse promises to be especially spectacular because the full moon will appear high in the night sky. Dust in the Earth’s atmosphere from recent volcanic activity will give the moon a reddish-orange glow.
So, here’s to clear skies.
NASA has a lineup of live Internet activities, including a question-and-answer sessions with experts to make the eclipse even more enjoyable. The space agency will also have a telescope and web cam aimed at the moon to provide live imagery to viewers who are unfortunate enough to be under thick cloud cover.
Here’s the NASA web site you need:
http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/lunar_eclipse.html
Go there on Monday, Dec. 20, between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., EST, to join Rob Suggs for a question-and-answer session on eclipses.
Dr. Suggs was part of NASA’s recent Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite missions.
There’s more.
On Tuesday, Dec. 21, from midnight to 5 a.m., EST, astronomer Mitzi Adams, a solar expert, will return to the website for another question and answer session.
A web cam on the same site will furnish live pictures of the eclipse as well.