Total Lunar Eclipse December 2010 on Winter Solstice

There is a total lunar eclipse tonight, December 20th-21st, 2010, a rare event for a variety of reasons. It's the first total lunar eclipse in just about three years, and it's also viewable from all of North America, South America, as well as parts of Europe and Asia. All told, over 1.5 billion people could potentially see the total lunar eclipse tonight.

More importantly though, the total lunar eclipse December 2010, known by some as the Christmas lunar eclipse, is occurring on the winter solstice (or the summer solstice, for folks in the southern hemisphere). It marks the first such occasion since 1638 and the second in over 2,000 years. Don't worry though, the next one will be much sooner, a mere 84 years away, December 21st, 2094.

Viewing the Total Lunar Eclipse Tonight: What to Know

If you're interested in viewing the total lunar eclipse tonight, the first thing to know is that it will be dependent of course on any cloud cover in your area. Secondly, you'll need to know the right time to get outside and take a peek.

Viewers on the east coast will have to wait until early Tuesday morning, with the total eclipse beginning at 2:40 am and lasting until 3:53 am. West coast total eclipse 2010 viewers will therefore have a bit of an easier go of it, with a prime period from between 11:40 pm and 12:53 am.

The total period of viewing though for the total lunar eclipse December 2010 will be much longer. The Earth's penumbral, or outer, shadow will first begin passing over the moon at 12:27 am eastern, and will finally disappear just after 6 am.

When the moon is fully within the umbral, or center, shadow of the Earth, the moon will appear a deep reddish to amber color. As it reaches that stage and then passes out of it, the moon will be various stages of yellow, red and brown.

Yes, viewing the total lunar eclipse 2010 tonight is completely safe. You won't have to worry about covering your eyes or obstructing your view, as opposed to a total solar eclipse, which can give off blinding rays of sunlight.

So whether you're an amateur stargazer, or you simply want to take in a rare and beautiful event, then check out the total lunar eclipse December 2010 tonight. Just cross your fingers, hope for clear skies, and try to stay awake. After all, we will be the first people in 372 years to see such an occurrence as the total lunar eclipse tonight.