The last total lunar eclipse occurred on 2008 February 20. As reported by space.com:
Lunar eclipses occur when the moon passes through a point in its orbit in which the Earth is directly between it and the sun. When the moon enters the shadow of Earth, it creates a lunar eclipse. Unlike a solar eclipse, no precautions to protect the eyes are needed.
A total lunar eclipse is when the entire moon is completely inside the Earth's shadow. Since the sun's rays are bent by Earth's atmosphere so that some still reach the moon, the moon is still visible in an eclipse.
For the United States, this eclipse begins on 2010 December 21 at 12:29 am EST (9:29 pm PST on 2010 December 20) as the moon begins to enter Earth's penumbral shadow, lasting for 72 minutes. Changes in the moon's appearance will be noticeable at around the 45-minute mark.
As the reporters from space.com continue:
The entire total lunar eclipse will be visible from all of North and South America, the northern and western parts of Europe, and a small part of northeast Asia, including Korea and much of Japan.
Totality will also be visible in its entirety from the North Island of New Zealand and Hawaii. In all, an estimated 1.5 billion people will have an opportunity to enjoy the best part of this lunar show.
In other parts of the world, only the partial stages of the eclipse will be visible or the eclipse will occur when it's daytime and the moon is not above their local horizon.
Reporting for Traton News,
Ingrid Ingram.
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