On Tuesday - 12/21/10 there will be the millennium's first Total Lunar Eclipse, completely visible from all of North America.

The last time a total lunar eclipse occurred, that was visible in North America, was on February 21, 2008.

Here is a detailed time-line of the eclipse:

Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 11:29 pm CDT
Partial Eclipse Begins: 12:32 am CDT
Total Eclipse Begins: 01:40 am CDT
Greatest Eclipse: 02:16 am CDT
Total Eclipse Ends: 02:53 am CDT - The eclipse’s total phase lasts for 73 minutes.
Partial Eclipse Ends: 04:01 am CDT
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 05:04 am CDT

Moon will be located in the constellation Gemini, about 10% south of zenith.

I am planning to observe as much of this event that I can stay awake for.
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Would there be any interest in having a Eclipse/Star Party at the Nature Center on Dec. 21, 2010??

It would be a cold, late night event..............I don't wont to do this by myself.............If advertised though the JHNC, we probably have a bunch of people show up.

FEEDBACK ?????

It doesn't look like anyone is interested in a Lunar Eclipse Watch/Star Party...... ......Just an idea..........I'll just set up in my back yard.............

Thanks for the info. That means the eclipse happens right as it turns my birthday. What a nice treat! The wife can't manage to stay up past midnight on a weekday but I will certainly be staying up for this one. A star party sounds like a good idea but i bet it would be hard to get many people out that late on a week night. If you do end up having a gathering let me know. I would be up for it most likely.

Thought about heading up to Ft. Smith for this but I have to be at work at 7:30 in Talihina. I have a really good dark sky backyard so I'll be watching and napping on and off. Thanks for the idea, though, of a star party. It would be fun.
Thanks also for the times. See you on December 3rd. Do you provide a list of what to bring or is it purely pot-luck? My wife, Ellen, is excited to be meeting you all.

Roger

There shoud be something soon on the Dinner..................................Keep an eye on the forum........

my new work schedule will allow for a late night that night. i live in fort smith so if some kind of meeting is thrown together i'll try to make it. i know i've talked to you guys about being at previous star parties but i'm limited to my scooter on the weekends, but i can make it for a tuesday night. let me know!

All -

As I have to work both Tuesday and Wednesday that week, I won't be making it to a 2:00 AM party. However, I may get up and try to catch some of it from up here in the woods.