Red light, with its longer wavelengths, passes more easily through the atmosphere and so dominates during an eclipse-essentially the same reason that sunrises and sunsets appear reddish. However, rays of sunlight can still be refracted through our atmosphere, and some of those rays will reach the moon and then be reflected back toward Earth. During a lunar eclipse, Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the moon. Normally, the moon shines with a silvery hue due to sunlight bouncing off its mottled gray surface. The hue of the eclipsed moon can vary greatly, depending on conditions in Earth’s atmosphere. Totality will end at 9:26 p.m., with the partial phases continuing until 10:52 p.m. AEST, with the moon high in the eastern sky. Observers in Sydney, Australia, will see the eclipse blossom in prime time, with the moon beginning to enter Earth’s shadow at 7:45 p.m. ![]() For observers in Los Angeles, for example, the moon will stand about 10 degrees above the horizon as totality ends, and it will set about an hour and a half later, while still partially eclipsed. You’ll need an unobstructed view to the southwest, as the moon will be low in the sky. Totality will come to an end as the moon begins to emerge from Earth’s shadow at 4:26 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, with totality beginning at 4:11 a.m. That means totality will last just 14 and a half minutes, well short of the theoretical maximum of almost two hours.įor viewers in North America, the partial phase of the eclipse will begin at 2:45 a.m. As a result, the moon will pass through the edge rather than the center of Earth’s shadow. The bad news is that the sun, Earth, and moon will not be perfectly lined up during this eclipse. You can observe it with binoculars, a telescope, a telephoto lens, or soak up the celestial show with just your eyes. Learn what causes a lunar eclipse and how it gains its crimson coloring.īest of all, unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view without special filters. Unlike a solar eclipse, which may require travel to see, total lunar eclipses can often be observed from the entire nighttime-half of the Earth. Today, this celestial phenomenon generates excitement and wonder. Nicknamed "blood moon," some ancient cultures regarded a total lunar eclipse as an ominous event. Lunar eclipses also unfold at a much more leisurely pace, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the moon’s changing appearance as the eclipse progresses. But with a lunar eclipse, we’re watching the moon pass through Earth’s shadow-something that can be witnessed from any spot where the moon is above the horizon. During a total solar eclipse, only those within a narrow path on Earth’s surface get to see the sun completely blocked out by the moon. Though not as spectacular as solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are more democratic, because they can be seen from a much larger portion of the planet. It will appear only a bit larger in the sky than average, but that still earns it the popular nickname “ supermoon.” The May full moon is also commonly called the flower moon, because of a traditional association with flowers blooming at this time of year in North America. ![]() During the event, the moon will be near apogee-the closest point to Earth in its egg-shaped orbit. ![]() That’s why total lunar eclipses are sometimes called blood moons.Īdding to the drama, this eclipse coincides with the year’s biggest and brightest full moon. Rather than going completely dark, the eclipsed portion of the moon can turn interesting colors due to the way light scatters in our atmosphere, often culminating in a deep blood-red hue. Observers in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia should look for it on the evening of the 26th.Ī lunar eclipse happens when Earth passes between the sun and the moon, with our planet’s shadow darkening the lunar disk. ![]() This total lunar eclipse will happen in the early morning of May 26 for viewers in western North America and far southern South America, as well as for people watching from the Hawaiian Islands. It’s been more than two years since the last total lunar eclipse-but that drought will come to an end on Wednesday with the arrival of the “super flower blood moon.”
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