Dec. 10 Lunar Eclipse to Darken Western U.S. Skies ..

Dec. 10 Lunar Eclipse to Darken Western U.S. Skies ..

Dec. 10 Lunar Eclipse to Darken Western U.S. Skies Early

The last lunar eclipse of 2011 will make the night sky even darker over the western United States early Dec. 10. ABC News reports the eclipse won't be visible to many Americans because it starts early in the morning for some when the sun will be rising.

When will the lunar eclipse happen?

Starting at 6:06 a.m. PT Dec. 10, NASA states the moon will reach the total phase of the eclipse and last for 51 minutes. Observers east of the Pacific states will see a partial eclipse because it will take time for the moon to move into the earth's shadow. If you live east of the Mississippi River you won't see any of the eclipse at all. The moon will be in the brighter part of the shadow starting at 4:45 PT or 7:45 ET. Sunrise is around 7 a.m. when the full moon sets.

How can someone view the lunar eclipse?

You will have to be an early riser to see even the partial eclipse. The moon will be setting to the west when you get out of your front door so look for the large full moon as it sinks lower on the horizon. NASA states the moon will start to move into the shadow of the earth at 3:33 a.m. PT or 6:33 a.m. ET. The entire United States can see at least part of the shadow hit the moon, but the western states will get a much better view. If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, you're in the perfect spot. The full moon should be higher in the sky in those locations.

What exactly is a lunar eclipse?

NASA's website purports the final lunar eclipse of 2011 will be a total lunar eclipse. That means the moon will be completely darkened by the shadow of the earth. The alignment must be perfect for the moon to pass behind the earth. The National Weather Service states a lunar eclipse can only happen during a full moon. There are different stages of the eclipse as the moon slowly moves into the earth's shadow and blocks the sunlight that reaches our closest heavenly body. The next total lunar eclipses will happen in 2014 and will be able to be seen over the entire North American continent.

What factors may prevent seeing the eclipse?

When the moon sinks below the horizon, the eclipse will be unreachable to those on the ground. If you happen to be on an airplane flying west at the time of the eclipse, you will have a prime viewing spot to see the darker colored moon. Weather and cloudy skies may also hide the eclipse from ground-based earthlings. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will have a unique perspective on the events of Dec. 10. Cameras and sensors on the probe will get a close-up view of the shadow as well as take temperature readings of moon rocks.

Dec. 10 Lunar Eclipse to Darken Western U.S. Skies ..