For a few hours today the attention of potentially one billion people will be focused on the sky, as we’re set to enjoy a lunar eclipse tonight, December 20, 2010.
Unlike a total eclipse of the sun, which is only visible to those in the path of totality (and a total eclipse of the heart, which is another thing entirely) a moon eclipse is visible from all places within the hemisphere were the moon is above the horizon. Meaning that tonight’s eclipse can been seen across North and South America, northern and western Europe, and a small part of northeast Asia, including Korea and most of Japan. That’s a potential viewing audience of about 1.5 billion people!
If you’re planning to catch a glimpse of tonight’s lunar eclipse, you’ll just need to bundle up – though binoculars or a telescope will give you a much nicer view. A moon eclipse is safe to watch, not like a solar eclipse, which requires special viewing precautions in order to avoid eye damage.
The most noticeable part of the eclipse will begin tonight, when the moon begins to enter Earth’s dark inner shadow, Fox News reports, beginning around 1:33 AM EST.
For the winter-weary, NASA will be streaming live video footage of tonight’s lunar eclipse.
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