Lunar Eclispe Coincides With Winter Solstice After 456 Years

December 20th, 2010 - 8:21 pm ICT by GD  

By Gina Gomez
Lunar EclispeDec 20, (THAINDIAN NEWS) It seems that this year, the North American people will have double reason to rejoice as according to eclipse experts, Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice are coinciding on the same day. The experts reported that this is going to be one of the rarest events in the history of eclipses. Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year in Northern Hemisphere and it marks the beginning of winter season. In a way, these two events will surely pep up the festive season.

British Astronomical Association’s official John Mason said that the sky-gazers can see the lunar eclipse at about 6.30am, when the sky seems clear and at that time the Moon will be visible in the Western sky. John Mason said that the eclipse would become total at around 7.40 am and the gazers would have an unobstructed view. The experts have reported that Winter Solstice and Lunar Eclipse would coincide this year for the first time in 456 years. The NASA meteorologists says that this is going to be the best Lunar Eclipse and the best visual treat until 2014.

NASA experts said that on Tuesday the higher latitudes would reach a point on the orbit of the Earth that is farthest from the Sun. The geologists say that on Winter Solstice, the Sun is visible for the least amount of time. On the other hand, in Southern Hemisphere, this day is marked as the longest day of the year. NASA reported that the last total Lunar Eclipse took place on February 21, 2008 and the people will again be able to see the celestial event on June 15 and December 10.

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