As promised I am posting my photos from the Lunar Eclipse that was on December 21, 2010. This eclipse was visible all across North America in the early, early morning on that chilly December day, which also happened to be the same time as the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. Braving the cold and the late hours of the start of the eclipse, I started taking pictures around 1:15am and tried to take them at semi-regular intervals, last picture taken around 2:30am just before it became a total eclipse. (I have to go to sleep sometime.) I am also posting some of my favorite photos below the video as well.
In the slide show you will notice that the ball that is the Moon is slowly being covered by the Earth's shadow. I didn't have a tripod so the Moon in the same place in each time so it looks a little like a bouncing ball in the blackness of the sky. And yes I know the banjo music is a bit funny, just enjoy it.
These were taken from around 2am-2:30am. From where I was standing to take the pictures and see the eclipse there was a tree branch that you can see in silhouette in these pictures. I actually didn't see that the branch was there until after I took the pictures. I think it makes the pictures look cooler than just the moon.
Each picture is about 10-15 minutes apart. If I stayed up an extra 20 minutes I might have gotten a shot of the Moon fully covered by the Earth's shadow, but I was too tired. In truth, I think the partial eclipse looks more interesting in pictures than when it is a total eclipse because the Moon would be fully hidden. What do you think?
You don't have to wait for the next eclipse to enjoy the wonders of the Moon and the night sky. Go outdoors on the next clear night and see if you can see the Moon, stars, or if you are lucky a planet. At this time of the year you can find some fun constellations like Orion the hunter, Taurus the bull and even the Gemini twins. Use a
star-map (you can also use the one listed on the resource page) to see where some of the constellations are or other interesting features in the sky.
Go out, have fun, Meet Me Outdoors!
You don't have to wait for the next eclipse to enjoy the wonders of the Moon and the night sky. Go outdoors on the next clear night and see if you can see the Moon, stars, or if you are lucky a planet. At this time of the year you can find some fun constellations like Orion the hunter, Taurus the bull and even the Gemini twins. Use a star-map (you can also use the one listed on the resource page) to see where some of the constellations are or other interesting features in the sky. 
No apologies needed for not staying up to see the total eclipse... you're a much more adventurous soul than the rest of us!! My head was on my pillow as you propped your eyeballs open. Thanks for the pics!
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