Post date: Dec 21, 2010 3:1:59 PM
Beachgoers in Sydney witness part of a lunar eclipse.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (DECEMBER 21, 2010) REUTERS - Beachgoers in Sydney witnessed part of a total lunar eclipse late on Tuesday (December 21) in a rare event coinciding with the winter solstice - the shortest day of the year.
The last time a total lunar eclipse coincided with the full moon of the winter solstice was in 1638, more than
400 years ago, and is not expected to recur until 2094.Sky watchers in North America and Europe were able to view the full lunar eclipse in the early hours of Tuesday, and see the moon appear reddish during the eclipse, due to the way the light from the sun bends around the earth.
As night fell in the southern hemisphere, Australians on the eastern state caught the final moments of the eclipse.
During a lunar eclipse, the sun, earth and moon are aligned with the earth in the middle, and the earth blocks the sun's rays from striking the moon.
A lunar eclipse occurs usually during a full moon and lasts for a few hours.
Unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse is safe to watch without any protective glasses or equipment and can be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the earth.
The last total lunar eclipse that occurred was in February 2008.
There are two total lunar eclipses set to take place in 2011 -- on June 15 and December 10.