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Winter Soltice - Solar Eclipse

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vikingrpm | 18:51 Mon 20th Dec 2010 | Science
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Can anyone confirm what I am hearing about the 21 December Winter Soltice cum Solar Eclipse.
I have been told this is a unique event and has not happened on this date, in this manner is 632 years!

Is this correct?

If not, then when did this combination actually last happen?

Many thanks :-)
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For the first time since 1378, a total lunar eclipse of a full moon falls on the winter solstice, so what you hear is correct.
18:55 Mon 20th Dec 2010
For the first time since 1378, a total lunar eclipse of a full moon falls on the winter solstice, so what you hear is correct.
I keep finding conflicting info.

Some places say 1378 and some say 1638

Not too long to wait for the next one though. that will be 2094
The eclipse is due to begin at 5.28am Tuesday morning, as the moon enters the lightest part of Earth's shadow, known as the penumbra. In this early phase of the eclipse, the moon will appear yellowish in the pre-dawn sky.

A more significant dimming begins as the moon enters into the darker part of Earth's shadow at 6.32am and becomes completely eclipsed at 7.40am.

Fingers crossed for a combination of clear skies and insomnia, lol
Question Author
Many thanks NazNomad.. When I heard it really spun me out.. :-)
One report I read said 1638 was the last one. The next is 2094
Question Author
thanks to everyone responding..
I have been back in the UK since last week for xmas and the past 2 nights after midnight looking out over the snow covered land scape the whole place has a redish cum orange glow about it! cheers..
"the whole place has a redish cum orange glow about it"

yep, Isn't pollution pretty.
Question Author
ChuckFickens.. ha ha ha.. well I grant it could be that. Certainly if it was Bangkok I would say yes for sure.. Not too sure about good ol carrot crunching Dorset though.. ha ha ha..
It'll be pretty low toward the horizon when it starts. Watchers in N America will get the best view, apparently.
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Heathfield.. Yes I heard the N Amercians will get the best view.. but it hits the uk apparently between 6.40am-peak at 7.40am..so thats fine by me. Perfect time to have a strong black coffee and watch events (if clear!).. ha ha
Listening to the reports on breakfast TV this morning – an astronomer stated that around 10 lunar eclipses occur each decade (about one a year). Assuming that the day of the year on which lunar eclipses occur to be random – then for any specified day of the year, a lunar eclipse will occur on that day (on average) once in every 365 years.
It was sleeting here this morning, fat chance of seeing it, but the pics on the TV look god.

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