Dec. 21 total lunar eclipse and UW Space Place eclipse party planned

Clear skies permitting, an extraordinary lunar eclipse will be visible from Wisconsin in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 21.

And for those bold enough to brave Wisconsin’s elements, an eclipse party will be held at University of Wisconsin–Madison Space Place from midnight-5 a.m.

The subtle beginning of the eclipse will take place about a half hour before midnight on Dec. 20, with the real spectacle beginning at about 12:32 a.m. on Dec. 21 and the moon becoming fully immersed in the shadow of the Earth by 1:40 a.m., according to UW Space Place director Jim Lattis.

The eclipse, Lattis notes, occurs on the same day as the winter solstice, making it the most northern lunar eclipse that can possibly be seen from the Earth.

Eclipse lore and observing opportunities with small telescopes will be available in the Space Place parking lot at the Villager Mall, 2300 S. Park St., beginning at midnight, Dec. 21. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Jim Lattis at 608-263-0360 or lattis@astro.wisc.edu.