lunar

On December 31st, 2009 most of us will be treated by a partial lunar eclipse. Indeed, the Moon will be darkened by part of Earth's shadow on this year's last Full Moon, and this month's second Full Moon (sometimes called a 'Blue Moon'). Only the Americas will not be able to witness this eclipse.

Lunar eclipses are beautiful events where you expect to see a full moon but instead you see Luna obscured while it crosses Earth's shadow. On August 16, 2008 there was a partial lunar eclipse, 15 days after August 2nd's solar eclipse.

Two things connect both eclipses. First it's common to have solar and lunar eclipses around the same time. Second, both events were challenging to observe due to high altitude clouds in Brussels.