On December 20, 2010, the world witnessed a complete lunar eclipse. Although the last total lunar eclipse happened in February of 2008, the significance of this one was that it was the first to happen on the winter solstice since 1638. Hopefully you were lucky enough to see this eclipse because we will not see another on the winter solstice until the year 2094.
A total lunar eclipse is when the moon, which must be full, passes through the earth’s shadow. The moon, the sun, and the earth must be aligned perfectly so that the earth prevents the sun’s rays from hitting the moon. The moon will turn to beautiful shades of red due to the sun light wrapping around the earths edges. A lunar eclipse can be seen from anywhere on earth where it is night time, whereas a solar eclipse that can only be seen from a very small area in the world. Also, where a lunar eclipse only happens with a full moon, a solar eclipse can only happen with a New Moon.
Throughout history very significant accounts of historical events are shown to happen on and around lunar eclipses. In 1573 a man named Tycho Brahe who studied science was said to predict a lunar eclipse and he was surprised when his prediction came true. Christopher Columbus second born son, Ferdinand, is said to have gained advantage over the natives in 1504 due to a lunar eclipse; the natives were so afraid of the sight that they had seen that they gave up food and other supplies that they needed to the Spaniards.
Many other interestingly historical eclipses can be found on NASA’s website. If you didn’t make it out to see this memorable eclipse, just hang around for another 84 years and plan on the next one.