Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
The last eclipse of 2011 will be a total lunar eclipse on December 10. Depending on where you live on Earth’s globe, the eclipse will happen either before dawn or that evening.
Much of North America will be in a position to watch the eclipse of the full moon before sunrise on Saturday, December 10. The far northwestern parts of North America (and also Hawaii) get to watch the entire eclipse from start to finish. The eastern and southern parts of North America will see only the beginning stages of the eclipse or no eclipse at all.
The next meteor shower is December 13 and 14, 2011
Since this is the closest full moon to the December 21 winter solstice, we in the Northern Hemisphere often call this particular full moon the Long Night Moon.
Earth at the start of the partial lunar eclipse
Day and night sides of Earth at start of partial lunar eclipse (2011 December 10 6:46 a.m. Central Time)
If you live in the world’s Eastern Hemisphere – Europe, Africa, Asia, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand – the eclipse of the full moon will take place after sunset on Saturday, December 10. We have a special post just for you.
Total lunar eclipse for much of the world on night of December 10
By the way, a lunar eclipse can happen only at full moon. That’s because the moon can be directly opposite the sun in our sky and sit in the Earth’s shadow only at full moon.
Why aren’t there eclipses at every full and new moon?
The Earth’s umbra – dark shadow – will totally cover over the lunar disk for 51 minutes. Before and after totality, the Earth’s dark shadow will partially eclipse the moon for one hour and 20 minutes. So the whole umbral eclipse, from start to finish, will last for about three and one-half hours. We give the eclipse times in Universal Time (and for the U.S. time zones at the bottom of the page).
How do I translate Universal Time into my time?
Partial eclipse begins: 12:46 Universal Time
Total eclipse begins: 14:06 UT
Greatest eclipse: 14:32 UT
Total eclipse ends: 14:57 UT
Partial eclipse ends: 16:18 UT
Or, if it’s easier for you, find out the eclipse times for your area with this lunar eclipse computer, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Observatory.
In the United States, only Alaska and Hawaii see the whole eclipse from start to finish. From Canada, the Yukon and most of British Columbia and most of the Northwestern Territories will see the entire eclipse.
Nonetheless, the western parts of the mainland U.S. will see all but the final stages of the eclipse. If you live on the Pacific Coast or in the Rocky Mountain States, a partial eclipse will adorn the sky during the predawn hours, and the totally eclipsed moon will be visible low in the west at or close to dawn.
Earth at the start of the total lunar eclipse
Day and night sides of Earth at start of total lunar eclipse (2011 December 10 7:06 a.m. Mountain Time)
Image credit: Earth and Moon Viewer. Click here for a more detailed chart.
If you live in the American Midwest or Mexico (except, perhaps, the Baja Peninsula), you’ll miss the total eclipse. But you may be privy to a lovely view of the partially eclipsed moon sitting by the horizon in the morning twilight.
Clock time for dawn and sunrise in your sky
Wherever you may live in North America, it’ll probably be to your advantage to find a level and unobstructed western horizon. From most places in North America, the moon will be in eclipse as it sets in the west-northwest at sunrise. Watch for the lunar eclipse to take place in tomorrow’s predawn and/or dawn sky, before sunrise on Saturday, December 10.
Local Times of Eclipse for U.S. Time Zones
Eastern Standard Time:
Partial eclipse begins: 7:46 a.m.
Total eclipse begins: 9:06 a.m.
Greatest eclipse: 9:32 a.m.
Total eclipse ends: 9:57 a.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 11:18 a.m.
Central Standard Time:
Partial eclipse begins: 6:46 a.m.
Total eclipse begins: 8:06 a.m.
Greatest eclipse: 8:32 a.m.
Total eclipse ends: 8:57 a.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 10:18 a.m.
Mountain Standard Time:
Partial eclipse begins: 5:46 a.m.
Total eclipse begins: 7:06 a.m.
Greatest eclipse: 7:32 a.m.
Total eclipse ends: 7:57 a.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 9:18 a.m.
Pacific Standard Time:
Partial eclipse begins: 4:46 a.m.
Total eclipse begins: 6:06 a.m.
Greatest eclipse: 6:32 a.m.
Total eclipse ends: 6:57 a.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 8:18 a.m.
Alaska Standard Time:
Partial eclipse begins: 3:46 a.m.
Total eclipse begins: 5:06 a.m.
Greatest eclipse: 5:32 a.m.
Total eclipse ends: 5:57 a.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 7:18 a.m.
Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time:
Partial eclipse begins: 2:46 a.m.
Total eclipse begins: 4:06 a.m.
Greatest eclipse: 4:32 a.m.
Total eclipse ends: 4:57 a.m.
Partial eclipse ends: 6:18 a.m.
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Stamping foot!… Skies soooo clear, but won’t see it in UK :(
What is the bright silver/red star in the south west at just about total sunset, US eastern time?
Yes and actually just 1 month ago you could see at least 4 moons with just a pair of binoculars. There is another star that shimmers red around 10 est and thats sirius. Binary star system that are rather close to each other. One is a red giant and the other is a white dwarf this is why it seems to sparkle. Is considered the brightest star in the night sky.
I believe you’re seeing the dog star, Sirius. It is super bright in the western sky at twilight here in the southeast. It twinkles red, white, and blue! And if it twinkles, it’s NOT a planet, folks!! Planets appear as solid light!
I just went outside and looked at the star as noted above. It’s one of the largest stars in the sky and it’s white, not silver, and it shimmers red. Do you know what star this is?
[...] http://earthsky.org/tonight/lunar-eclipse-for-north-america-before-sunrise-december-10 The last eclipse of 2011 will be a total lunar eclipse on December 10. The Earth’s umbra – dark shadow – will totally cover over the lunar disk for 51 minutes. Before and after totality, the Earth’s dark shadow will partially eclipse the moon for one hour and 20 minutes. So the whole umbral eclipse, from start to finish, will last for about three and one-half hours. We give the eclipse times in Universal Time Depending on where you live on Earth’s globe, the eclipse will happen either before dawn or that evening. Much of North America will be in a position to watch the eclipse of the full moon before sunrise on Saturday, December 10. The far northwestern parts of North America (and also Hawaii) get to watch the entire eclipse from start to finish. The eastern and southern parts of North America will see only the beginning stages of the eclipse or no eclipse at all. Since this is the closest full moon to the December 21 winter solstice, we in the Northern Hemisphere often call this particular full moon the Long Night Moon. [...]
I think I found out what it is. It’s not a star. It’s planet Venus! Thank you for your wonderful website.
If its the one just west of the moon about four hands tonight,
I think you are looking at Jupiter
a small telescope will allow you to see upto 5 moons in any configuration in a straight line around it, eg 1 on the left 3 on the right, 2 on the left 1 on the right ect. it changes every day and ver fun to keep track of
let me know when i will stop eating. i am in advance stage can i go outside during lunar eclipse
From what I read, I’ll be able to see it from Dallas, TX at 6:45am!! Hopefully it won’t be cloudy then! :-D
so I’m in south Dakota wen will u c this ?? I been waiting since 2 am but nnothing yet n now is 3:18
A site to behold
5 am n nothing in south Dakota :( booo
In Los Angeles CA and haven’t seen the start of anything yet….has anyone seen anything?
I’m in LA, haven’t seen much happening here…
My son (15) and I just watched the lunar eclipse from Whitewater, Colorado. We are on the Western side of the Ricky Mountains. We were up at 5:30am and began watching at 5:45am. We were able to get photos. This was time well spent with my son. Thankyou World Universe for a Spectacular show!
[...] Lunar eclipse for North America before sunrise December 10 [...]
Will Jamaica be able to see it
Hey guys here is a short video of the luna eclipse filmed in Western Australia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Le2SoXZvs