Space
The darkest day
Finally, this raises the question — prior to 2010, when was the last time that we had a total lunar eclipse occur on the same calendar date as the winter solstice? The answer, incredibly, takes us back nearly four centuries.
On Dec. 21, 1638, the full moon was in total eclipse from 1:12 to 2:47 UT. And the solstice occurred later in the day at 16:05 UT.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
What’s so incredible about that?
And wouldn’t it be even darker if the winter solstice fell on the new moon, which is more common than a lunar eclipse?
DarkCurrent on December 19, 2010 at 3:43 PM
Great. And that’s the day I’m driving from Ohio to Virginia.
rbj on December 19, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Most scary, without the concerted efforts of all nations of the world and the reallocation of trillions of dollars, this is going to happen again and again until eventually we have “Global Darkness.” TM
We must stop this…for the children…
Canadian Infidel on December 19, 2010 at 3:59 PM
January 20, 2009?
tommer74 on December 19, 2010 at 3:59 PM
I still think the darkest day was 1/20/09.
darwin-t on December 19, 2010 at 3:59 PM
beat me by that much
darwin-t on December 19, 2010 at 4:00 PM
I’m going to have to get me camera out and take some pictures!
FloatingRock on December 19, 2010 at 4:12 PM
/jk
FloatingRock on December 19, 2010 at 4:12 PM
9/11 was the darkest day IMO.
BierManVA on December 19, 2010 at 4:14 PM
The “joke” about taking pictures is because I’d be taking them in the dark.
Of course it wouldn’t be funny to take pictures of the eclipse itself, which people do.
FloatingRock on December 19, 2010 at 4:18 PM
Boston Globe comments, “women and minorities hit hardest”
Alden Pyle on December 19, 2010 at 4:44 PM
That’s what I was thinking. The full moon will be reflecting light back to Earth before, after, and even during the eclipse, when even some reddish light will be reflected. A new moon would be on the sunward side of the Earth reflecting light back toward the sun.
backwoods conservative on December 19, 2010 at 5:43 PM
Yeah it’s all fun and games until Guam tips over.
BL@KBIRD on December 19, 2010 at 5:58 PM
That was Bush’s Fault too!
Del Dolemonte on December 19, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Freaky deaky?
-Aslan’s Girl
Aslans Girl on December 19, 2010 at 6:37 PM
So are the Druids going to go nuts or what?
stefanite on December 19, 2010 at 7:07 PM