Hi all

There's 2 total lunar eclipses in 2011 and Australians and New Zealanders will be able to experience and enjoy both of them to varying degrees.

1. 15/16th June 2011 - Total Lunar Eclipse

The first total lunar eclipse of 2011 occurs in the early morning of the 16th June, about 1.5 hours before sunrise AEST.

Observers in Western Australia will get to see the whole event, while the Eastern States will miss the last partial stages of the eclipse as the Moon will set just after totality.

It's a long eclipse, with totality lasting 100 minutes. A good Westerly aspect will be essential as the Moon will be low in the West during totality.

Click the link above for more information about the eclipse, how and where you can see it and photograph it, and to look for timings and moon altitude for a city near you.

2. 10/11th December 2011 - Total Lunar Eclipse

The second eclipse of 2011 is better placed for all Australians and New Zealanders, as the whole event will be visible no matter where you live. The partial stages start just before midnight on the 10th December AEDST, with mid-totality occuring at about 1:30am AEDST on the 11th December.

The eclipse lasts for 51 minutes, and the Moon will be in the North at about 30 degrees altitude for mid-southern latitudes (eg: around Sydney).

Click the link above for more information about the eclipse, how and where you can see it and photograph it, and to look for timings and moon altitude for a city near you.

Good luck observing these lunar eclipses - we'd love to hear your reports and see your images on the IceInSpace Forum.