Are You Afraid Of The Dark(est)?

FILE - The moon appears totally covered by shadow as the earth passes between the moon and the sun, during the lunar eclipse in this Jan. 9, 2001 file photo taken in Kiel, Germany. On Tuesday Dec. 21, 2010 the first day of northern winter, the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. The eclipse begins at 1:33 am EST. At that time, Earth's shadow will appear as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It takes about an hour for the "bite" to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 2:41 am EST and lasts for 72 minutes. According to NASA the last total lunar eclipse that happened on the winter solstice was Dec. 21, 1638. The next one will Dec. 21, 2094. (AP Photo/Heribert Proepper, File)

By HANNAH MCDONNELL

December 20, 2010 at 5:47 pm

We hope not, because we're about to have a lunar eclipse on the Winter Solstice! Take a deep breath, nerds. According to the scientific authorities on Gawker, this is the first time these two moon-tacular events have coincided since 1638. To celebrate, we suggest dressing up in period costume and dancing through the streets singing "Total Eclipse of the Heart."

The excitement begins at 1:33am, when the moon starts to move into the earth's shadow. By 2:41am (how time flies!), it will be completely covered, which will last for about an hour. If you party animals can stay awake until 5am, that's when the moon will be fully back where it belongs. Who knew the shortest day of the year could be so jam-packed with fun?

Are You Afraid Of The Dark(est)?

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