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THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 2785      2011 Dec 09 20.05UT
Ed:Guy M Hurst, 16,Westminster Close, Kempshott Rise,  Basingstoke,
Hants, RG22 4PP,England.Telephone/FAX(01256)471074Int:+441256471074
INTERNET: GUY@TAHQ.DEMON.CO.UK      Backup: gmh@wdcc1.bnsc.rl.ac.uk
WORLD WIDE WEB                         http://www.theastronomer.org
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LUNAR ECLIPSE: 2011 DECEMBER 10
Dr. Richard Keen, Instructor Emeritus, University of Colorado reports:
This is a mass mailing to observers on all seven continents who have 
observed lunar eclipses in the past and/or have an interest in these 
events.  Some of you are on the side of the planet that will be able to 
see the upcoming eclipse, and some of you are in the twilight zone where 
the eclipsed moon will appear low in a bright sky.  Sadly, the many 
excellent and active observers in South America will see nothing of this 
eclipse, but observers in southern Asia are likely to enjoy clear winter 
skies.  All the other continents will have some view of the eclipse 
(except Antarctica).
Once again, I am interested in hearing of your observations of the 
eclipse of Saturday, 2011 December 10.

Some of you may make "reverse binocular" magnitude estimates, or Danjon 
"L" estimates, or both.  Below are some web links with information about 
the eclipse and about observing methods, along with links to 
presentations I've given with results of this study.  There are plenty 
of bright comparison stars in the vicinity of the moon for those doing 
"reverse binocular" estimates, while Sirius and Jupiter are good 
comparison objects for those making naked eye comparisons with the 
eclipsed moon. In summary, recent eclipses show that the atmosphere has 
been clear of volcanic aerosols since about 1995, and that this has 
contributed about 0.2 degrees to the recent warming.  There have not 
been any sizeable volcanic eruptions lately, so this eclipse should be a 
relatively bright one. Your observations will help us understand our 
earth a little bit more.

NASA article about the eclipse:
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/02dec_lunarecli
pse/

Details of the Dec. 10 eclipse:
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OH2011.html#LE2011Dec10T

How to observe the eclipse using the Danjon scale:
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/Danjon.html

How to observe the eclipse using reversed binoculars:
What Will 2010's Lunar Eclipses Look Like?
http://www.mreclipse.com/LEdata/LEmore/TLE2010keen.html

Editor: Please send your reports to Mark Kidger with a copy to the 
editor and we can then relay appropriate results to Richard Keen as well 
as consider publication in TA.

Guy M Hurst