Astronomers and sky watchers are in for a real treat tonight, as a total lunar eclipse will be gracing the skies.
The total lunar eclipse, which happens when the sun, Earth, and moon are aligned as the moon passes through the Earth's shadow, will be best viewed from 12:30 a.m. this evening and it will reach its fullness around 2:30 a.m., wrote Thomas Lee Hench, an associate professor at Delaware County Community College, in an e-mail. It will last until about 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.
"This eclipse is unusual in that it occurs along with the winter solstice (the first day of winter) and a full moon. While always interesting, this eclipse will be viewable in our area and at totality the moon will be bathed in ruddy light," wrote Hench, who teaches astronomy as well as technical and university physics at the college. "In earlier times, this reddening was view as related to blood with dire consequences for the people observing it.
Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"It is interesting to remember how other cultures have viewed these types of celestial events and the meanings they attach to them," continued Hench, who has worked at the community college for 27 years.
Hench added that many cultures, such as Native Americans, the Greeks, and Chinese, among others, not only knew how to calculate eclipse cycles, but they referred to the reddish color of Earth's satellite during a total eclipse as the "blood moon."
Find out what's happening in Chestnut Hill-Mt. Airywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"(The blood moon) has been used by some to determine the date of Jesus' crucifixion. In fact, a vampire-inspired episode of 'CSI' had the title of 'Blood Moon!'" Hench wrote.
The last time area residents were treated to a total lunar eclipse was back in February of 2008.
But if you happen to miss tonight's main event, you will get another chance this coming June. But until then, Hench has advice for those willing to bear the 23-degree weather and mostly clear skies tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
"Since this eclipse is occurring in December, the only special things observers need will be warm clothing!" Hench wrote.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
