Hit or Miss on the Lunar Eclipse

You may have heard there’s a spectacular lunar eclipse starting late tonight and going in to early tomorrow morning, visible to those of us in North and Central America.  It coincides with the winter solstice (Dec. 21), which is a rarity in itself. And, by all accounts, it should be a great viewing spectacle.  Of course, you need clear skies to see the lunar eclipse, and in my neck of the woods (western U.S.), that’s going to be a tough one.  We’re clouded over and probably will get rain or snow through the night. Still, hope springs eternal, and I will stay up and see if any sucker holes open up that will allow me to see the events as they unfold high overhead.

That’s the nature of observational astronomy from the surface of Earth: you’re at the mercy of the elements.  That hasn’t stopped any of us from going out and trying to see sky phenomena, despite the weather forecast. It didn’t stop William Herschel, who made some of his most far-reaching discoveries from under the often-cloudy skies of Ireland and England.  I often take inspiration from him and his sister Caroline. They persevered despite the conditions they had to work under. And, I can always hope that maybe the weather forecast won’t play out the way the meterologists have been predicting. That’s the nature of weather… predictable and changeable, both at once. If you’re going to be an astronomer, weather is something you’ll be very familiar with as you do your stargazing.  Last month, we battled some pretty cold weather in Iceland to see (and film) the northern lights. It was cold, but worth the effort for the eerie experience of watching the auroral dance.

So, take heart: if you have clear skies and live in North America or Central America, step out tonight and early tomorrow and check out the Moon. It’ll be a lovely sight.  For more information on the eclipse and when/where to look, check out Sky and Telescope’s Web site.