Though not an official holiday in the United States, some Americans use the term "Boxing Day," particularly those who live near the Canada – United States border. In Canada, Boxing Day is listed in the Canada Labour Code as an optional holiday. Only the province of Ontario has made it a statutory holiday where all workers receive time off with pay.
Both lunar and solar eclipses can only occur when the Earth, Sun and Moon are directly aligned… and that alignment is about to happen just four days before Christmas! While the winter treat of totality will lend itself to North America, many other parts of the world will be able to enjoy a partial eclipse as well. Just remember your time zones and I’ll post specific times and locations just a little closer to the date. Right now, let’s learn more!
What is a partial eclipse or totality? When the Earth‘s shadow engulfs the Moon, it is a lunar eclipse which occurs in two phases. The outer shadow cone is called the penumbra and the dark, inner shadow is called the umbra. A round body, such as a planet, casts a shadow “cone” through space. When it’s at Earth, the cone is widest at 13,000 kilometers in diameter, yet by the time it reaches the Moon it has narrowed to only 9,200 kilometers. Considering the distance to the Moon is 384,401 kilometers, that’s hitting a very narrow corridor in astronomical terms!
As a rule of thumb, remember that the Moon moves about its own diameter each hour, so the very beginning of a penumbral eclipse will be difficult to notice. Slowly and steadily, the coloration will begin to change and even inexperienced eclipse watchers will notice that something is different. The Moon will never completely disappear as it passes through the Earth’s umbral shadow cone, either. Thanks to our atmosphere bending the sunlight around us, it scatters the light and refracts the signature red and copper coloration we associate with lunar eclipse. Why? Just the small particles in our air – dust and clouds – the shorter wavelengths of light from the Sun are more likely to be scattered (in this case, red) and that’s what we see. Exactly the same reason sunset and sunrise appears to be red! If you’d like to dedicate a portion of your mind to science, then try judging the eclipse coloration on the Danjon scale. It was was devised by Andre Danjon for rating the overall darkness of lunar eclipses:
Published: Friday 17 December 2010, 12.24CET Holders FC Internazionale Milano will continue their UEFA Champions League title defence against FC Bayern München in a repeat of last season's final after the round of 16 draw was made in Nyon, Switzerland.
Rafael Benítez's side finished second in Group A and their reward is a tie against Group E winners Bayern, the team they beat 2-0 in Madrid to claim their third European crown seven months ago, thanks to two goals from Diego Milito.
There will also be a rematch of the 2006 showpiece as FC Barcelona were again paired with Arsenal FC, whom they eliminated in the quarter-finals last time around – Lionel Messi scoring all four Blaugrana goals in the second leg. Real Madrid CF, who have lost in the last 16 for six successive seasons, take on the club that knocked them out in 2009/10, Olympique Lyonnais – the French outfit having reached the semi-finals for the first time last term.
Seven-time European champions AC Milan will face debutants Tottenham Hotspur FC while French title holders Olympique de Marseille were pitted with Manchester United FC, winners in 2008 and finalists the following year. Valencia CF, runners-up in 2000 and 2001, tackle FC Schalke 04 while Chelsea FC will encounter FC København, the first Danish team to progress from the group stage. FC Shakhtar Donetsk, also making their maiden appearance in the round of 16, play AS Roma.
