Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Dec. 17 7:02 4:12

Sat., Dec. 18 7:03 4:12

Sun., Dec. 19 7:04 4:13

Mon., Dec. 20 7:04 4:13

Tues., Dec. 21 7:05 4:14

Wed., Dec. 22 7:05 4:14

Thurs., Dec. 23 7:06 4:15

Fri., Dec. 24 7:06 4:15

The first day of winter is next Tuesday, and early morning will see a lunar eclipse. The moon will pass through the earth’s shadow after midnight. The total eclipse, when the moon is completely covered by the earth’s shadow, will be from 2:41 to 3:53 a.m.

You may wish to look at the different phases of the moon during the night. Watch the full moon rising in the eastern sky after sunset. The moon is in the zodiacal constellation Taurus, near Gemini.

The first subtle signs of the eclipse will occur a few minutes before 1 a.m., when the moon enters the penumbra. The darkening of the moon will be more noticeable about half an hour later.

The eclipse will be over by sunrise.

This is an especially interesting eclipse to watch. Hidden from direct sunlight, the moon takes the color of the earth’s atmosphere during sunrise and sunsets. What illuminates the moon is a ring of sunrises and sunsets circling the earth.

If an observer stood on the moon during the eclipse, the earth would be dark, with a ring of light circles, colored red and lit by a hidden sun.

Here on earth volcanic activity and weather conditions can affect the color of the moon.

Winter officially arrives at 6:58 p.m. Tuesday

M.A.L.