Solstice Lunar Eclipse

Tonight, was a great night. In Alaska, we were fortunate to have a beautiful, clear sky with the full moon shining overhead. Many of us watched our clocks for the countdown of the Solstice Lunar Eclipse. However, in Alaska because the time zone, our Solstice Eclipse actually started on January 20th. For me, it was something that I have looked forward to for the past two months. Having traveled thousands of miles around the world and at the age of 65, I have never seen a full Lunar Eclipse. During each eclipse during my lifetime, I have either been in the wrong hemisphere or it has been cloudy. Tonight, I enjoyed the opportunity especially with the knowledge that this particular timing of the eclipse and Winter Solstice will not occur for another eighty-four years. Early into the evening under the full moon, very few stars were showing. As the moon begin moving into darkness, the stars started popping out. The other thing that I noted was that just prior to the moon being fully engulfed, dogs around the community started barking. In the distance, I also heard several coyotes howling at the moon that was slowly disappearing.

"One Hour Prior To Eclipse"

"Full Moon" "Lunar Eclipse Commences"

"Quarter Eclipse"

"Approaching Half Eclipse"

"Three Quarter Eclipse"

"Approaching Total Eclipse"

"The Moon Has Been Darkened"

The reversal of the Lunar Eclipse was just as spectacular, at 12:52 am (AST) the moon has been restored to about 75% of it's full size and once again, the stars have been swallowed up by the light of the moon. In the excitement of being able to see this once in a lifetime Solstice Eclipse, we tend to forget that it also marks the time where we will once again be gaining additional daylight each day. The first sign that spring is coming. "It Was A Good Night"