Sunday, December 19, 2010

"There is no dark side of the moon really.

Matter of fact it's all dark."
- Pink Floyd

In case you have nothing better to do before Christmas (yeah, right), there is going to be an eclipse of the moon Monday evening or Tuesday morning (depending on your time zone).  The good news is that it's going to be a total eclipse.  The bad news, at least for us Easterners, is that the totality doesn't occur until about 2:45 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Even though I would like to, I doubt that I will be camping out with beer and popcorn waiting to witness this rare sight - my 'pumpkin time' rarely lasts beyond midnight.  I've only seen one total eclipse many moons ago while camping in Algonquin Park and it was quite awesome to watch the shadow slowly pass over the orb.  The colour is as equally striking.

If anyone - and/or your kids - hasn't seen an eclipse, it's worth the look.  Who knows, you might just see Santa testing out his new GPS.


For more information on this upcoming extraterrestrial event,
you can visit here for a related article.



26 comments:

  1. Now that my son is home from college, I'll probably still be up then... hard to sleep with all the activity in the house! Then again, it will most likely be snowing again here in Upstate New York, so I won't see a damned thing!

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  2. Boom Boom: I hope you get a break from the snow, even if to see a glimpse. I think the event starts at about 1:30 a.m., so keep an eye out but, um, if you do go outside, BE CAREFUL!!! We don't want you breaking your other leg.
    ;-)

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  3. Barbara and I saw a total lunar eclipse around 30 years ago (possibly the same one you saw in Algonquin Park?) and it was magical. I've been looking forward to this one, but as Boom said, it will probably be overcast and snowing.

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  4. Frank: I'm pretty sure the one I saw was in the mid to late 80's (I was in my twenties, not my teens) so it was probably the same one you saw. If I recall correctly, the moon was low in the horizon and just over the tree tops; it was magical. I don't think a photo could capture its magnificence.

    Judging by the posting time of your recent comments, you probably will be up late and, hopefully, 'Moses' might show up to part the clouds(?)

    ;-)

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  5. If it would quit raining, we could see it. But it's supposed to continue right into Christmas.

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  6. Linda: You will be in the best time zone for viewing because it won't be too late for you. Who knows, you might get a 'look-see'?! It's supposed to be partly cloudy here, but I doubt I will be awake.

    Nertz! And here I was thinking it would be a great Christmas present for everyone. Weather sucks.

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  7. That sounds awesome. My bewitching hour is probably closer to 11:00 PM so I don't know....which probably explains why I'm STILL reading that dragon girl book.

    I need a nap.

    ;-)

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  8. Reffie: Like everyone else (or most of them), you must be crazy busy this time of year. But, if you are up around 12:45 a.m. (I'm guessing at your time difference), you might catch the start!

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  9. 11:45pm our time, but I'm in the "rain" zone, too. :(

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  10. Jayne: So I hear ;-(

    Alas, my attempt at cyber-gift giving this year has (or will) fail miserably. In the event I am still conscious during any part of the eclipse, I shall endeavour to grab a few web-photos (I still haven't figured out how to upload a video yet). It may be overcast here too - the weather forecats here are rather iffy most of the time.
    ;-)

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  11. I'm the same, my pumpkin time is rarely past midnight as well.

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  12. I think Dark Side of The Moon is my favourite album of all time. It's been so foggy here since yesterday, I don't think we'll catch a glimpse...

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  13. We've got snow acoming, clouds aplenty. The moon will be full and eclipsing like a maniac. Lovin the northeast more every day. Please get up and take a picture, m'kay?

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  14. Sandra: It sucks getting older, eh? Maybe I'll take an afternoon nap and try to stay up.

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  15. Nicky: Dark Side of The Moon is one of my favourites too!

    It looks like it's going to be cloudy over most of North America tonight. But, if you only get a bit of fog and the sky is clear, that would make for an awesome picture.

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  16. Cheryl: It seems like southern Florida and the Bahamas will be partly cloudy tonight, but if I can stay up, I'll try to get a pic or video. I better get some toothpicks for my eyelids, though.
    ;-)

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  17. It would be on a school night. Just as well, since we are currently in the middle of a snow storm.

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  18. Alice: Isn't school on the holiday break?? Bad news that you won't be able to see it, but good news is that there will be snow on Christmas! Happy Holidays!

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  19. I'll be up and I'll be watching, assuming the sky's clear. It's been nothing but clear for months now, but I'm guessing it'll cloud over right before the eclipse takes place. I should live with your friend, Murphy.

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  20. BonyMike: If you haven't seen one before, I hope the sky is clear enough for you to get a glimpse. Get your camera ready just in case! Ha! As my luck would have it (even though Murphy is still here), we are supposed to have clear skies tonight - well, partly cloudy. I just hope I can stay awake long enough to catch it.

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  21. It's a little cloudy here, Double-O, but it's plenty visible and it's about a quarter gone as I write this. It's beautiful, and mysterious. Also, mysterious: The fact that you and I can watch it at the same time. Cool!

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  22. Our skies cleared up and now the moon's a lovely shade of burnt orange! I love this time of night, and I celestial events. No camera, though, sorry. Gardner, either, thankfully. That would scare the cheese out of me.

    Good night, Double-O, my friend!

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  23. D'oh! Stupid thing is, for some strange reason I was up and out of bed at 1:30am this morning and I missed it! Oh well, I am sure there will be bloggers out there who caught it on film. - G

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  24. GD: Sorry to hear you missed it. ;-(

    I did get a couple of pics that I'll post later, but I lost the video I was making. Nertz!

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  25. I watched one years ago with the kids - just on my own back doorstep. Not sure if it was a total one or not but it was quite freaky. I'll stick to noddyland most likely but I'll let the boys know..!

    And a Merry Christmas to you and your family when it comes.

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  26. Lena: Thanks for holiday wishes!

    It is a sight to see, but it happened last night - I'm not sure in what parts of the UK it would have been visible. Maybe next time? (In 19 years or so - yikes!)

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