2010 lunar eclipse clouded out in SF, watch the moon eclipse live online here

 2010 lunar eclipse clouded out in SF, watch the moon eclipse live online here

The first total eclipse of the moon in two years will be visible late tonight, Monday December 20, and early on December 21, 2010.  But it cloudy and rainy weather tonight in the San Francisco Bay Area has put a damper on watching the show here.  But don't despair.    

You can watch NASA's live feed of the lunar eclipse live online in the video on the left.  Just click the "click to play" button.  If there is a problem with that feed, a live video of the moon can also be found here.  It is a live feed from Miami's public television station WPBT.   

Here's some other alternate links to view the eclipse live, but the best video is above. 

 List of links – please check individual sites for their viewing times and instructions:

› South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association & The Fox Observatory→
› Columbus State University→
› Rothney Astrophysical Observatory→
› WPBT2/Miami Science Museum→
› Night Skies Network, Jack Huerkamp→
› Astronomers Without Borders Camera Network→
› Lunar Eclipse from Santiago, Chile→
› Lunar Eclipse by Coaster Storm's Weather Center→

But I don't live in the Bay Area.  There are no clouds here.  Where's the best place to view the lunar eclipse?

NASA began a text alert system that is active right now.   Here's the official message from the space agency on how to sign up: 

"Starting now, you can subscribe to NASA JPL's "I'm There: Lunar Eclipse" text campaign to connect with others in your area by texting us your viewing location and comments on the night of the eclipse. To sign up, text IMTHERE to 67463 and we'll send you a reminder to go out and watch on Dec. 20 (message and data rates may apply). "

If you want to talk about the lunar eclipse you can do so online.   Lunar experts from NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center will be hosting two live Web chats . On Monday, Dec. 20 from Noon-1 p.m. PST, Dr. Rob Suggs will be taking questions.   Late tonight,  from 9 p.m.  to 2 a.m. on Tuesday December 21,  NASA will host stay "Up All Night" with astronomer Mitzi Adams.

When will the lunar eclipse be visible?

From 9:55 p.m. PST to 2:01 a.m. PST.

When is totality, when the eclipse peaks?

The moon will be entirely behind the earth's shadow between 11:41 p.m. to 12:53 a.m. PST

Are people still gathering anyplace here in the San Francisco Bay Area to watch the eclipse live? 

Yes, the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland will host viewings regardless of the weather 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.   You can also watch from the Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley from 8 p.m to 2.am.    Chabot will have an indoor presentation in its planetarium with a simulated show.   Lawrence Hall of Science will also have an indoor presentation. 

Are you absolutely sure the weather will prevent me from viewing the eclipse here in the San Francisco Bay Area?

No.  There could be some breaks in the clouds during the time of the eclipse.  Check out the  National Weather Service site here.   You can also view KGO-TV News's live Doppler radar map here.  You can get the Doppler iPhone app here. Forecasters say clouds and occasional showers are predicted for tonight during the time of the eclipse but that there may be occasional breaks where you may be able to catch a glimpse of the moon going dark.

For more details and links, below is NASA's official press release: 

 NASA Announces Lineup For Total Eclipse Of The Moon

WASHINGTON -- NASA has planned various ways to help the public enjoy the total lunar eclipse on the night of Dec. 20 to 21. 

Astronomers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., will host a pair of live web chats to answer questions and help make the rare celestial experience one to remember. Marshall Center astronomer Rob Suggs will hold the first chat from 3 - 4 p.m. EST on Dec. 20 and discuss the best ways to view the eclipse. From 12 a.m. - 5 a.m., Marshall researcher Mitzi Adams will answer questions as the eclipse passes across the continental United States. A live video feed of the eclipse will be available on the chat site at: 

http://www.nasa.gov/connect/chat/lunar_eclipse.html

Suggs also will be available for media interviews at Marshall from 2 - 3 p.m. Dec. 20. News media interested in attending the events should contact Janet Anderson at 256-544-0034 no later than 10 a.m. Monday. 

For observers on the East Coast, the eclipse will last from 1:33 - 5:01 a.m. EST. The eclipse happens when the moon passes through the shadow of Earth, and the moon's appearance changes from bright orange to blood red to dark brown and perhaps gray. To learn about the science behind eclipses, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/eclipse

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., has set up a lunar eclipse Flickr group for those who want to share or view photos of the eclipsed moon. NASA will choose one photographer to have his or her work featured as official JPL wallpaper on their website. To learn more, visit: 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/imthere/

JPL also is hosting the "I'm There: Lunar Eclipse" text campaign to connect people who are watching the eclipse in the same area and to provide them with tips on viewing the phenomenon. To learn more, visit: 

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/imthere/map.php

For more information on all NASA activities regarding the lunar eclipse, visit: 

http://www.nasa.gov/watchtheskies