Dec 10, 2011 Full Moon Total Lunar Eclipse...

The full moon is something that punctuates our lives and imposes a natural rhythm.

This lunar eclipse is said to be a TOTAL lunar eclipse so you should see the shadow of the Earth pass over and darken the entire moon. The Earth will be between the sun and the moon so it will cast it's shadow in such a way that we can see it.

"December, outside in the crisp clear air. There will only be two total lunar eclipses this year and we wanted to see them."

Lunar on the palms of the both hands on the lower inside...

If you are planning on creating or installing solar panels to heat air, water or generate electricity, the shortest day is a great day to study where the sun hits and where it does not. On the longest day you can study the shadows for adding shade to cool your house, so now in December, see what effect this time of year has on your solar gain. You can take some photos or make some markings to help your placement of the panels.

Changing direction with the tilt of the earth.

The sun will start it's journey the OTHER direction again on December 10th, so each day you might notice it rise and set in a new location going the other direction than it has for last half of the year. Where the sun hits as it rises and sets is also an interesting thing to note and mark down or photograph, just as those that came before you have noted for thousands of years.

Notes:

1Full Moon is something to see...

2Total Lunar Eclipse is on 2011 December 10, at 14:31:49 UTC.

4Notice the shadows by day as we approach the shortest day of the year on December 10th.

5Watch where the sun rises and sets throughout year.

6Learn More on the Wikipedia about the FULL MOON, SOLSTICE and LUNAR ECLIPSE.

7Learn More on the Wikipedia about Coordinated Universal Time.

8Learn More on the Wikipedia about Equinox.

9Learn More on the Wikipedia about December 2001 Lunar Eclipse.