The moon will glow scarlet during this year’s first total lunar eclipse on Sunday – a stark contrast to its plain milky white glow.
A partial eclipse will begin at 10:27 p.m. ET on Sunday, and a total lunar eclipse will begin at 11:29 p.m. ET, according to EarthSky. The total eclipse will end at 12:53 ET on Monday, and the partial eclipse will end at 1:55 ET on Monday, the website says. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon, Earth, and Sun align as the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, according to NASA. When the moon passes through the darkest part of the earth’s shadow, called the timbre, it is known as a total lunar eclipse, the space agency said. When the sun’s rays reach Earth, much of the blue and green light is scattered, while the orange and red colors remain visible, giving the moon a reddish hue and is often called a “bloody moon,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Not everyone will be able to see the total lunar eclipse, because it must be night to see it, said Noah Petro, head of NASA’s Laboratory of Planetary Geology, Geophysics and Geochemistry.
People in South America and eastern North America will have a great view of the lunar eclipse, he said. The total lunar eclipse will be visible in much of Africa, Europe and South America and most of North America. There are about two lunar eclipses each year, and the next will be a total lunar eclipse in November, Petro said. Then there will be no other total lunar eclipse until March 2025, he added.
How to see the eclipse
It is perfectly safe to see a lunar eclipse with the naked eye, according to Peter.
“The great thing about lunar eclipses is that you don’t need any equipment other than passion and interest to be outside and have a clear horizon,” Petro said.
For optimal viewing conditions, avoid bright lights and tall buildings that can obstruct your view, he said.
While the peak of the eclipse can only last for a short time, the copper tones of the moon will change throughout the night, according to Peter. These changes make this celestial phenomenon interesting to watch throughout the eclipse, not at a particular time, he said.
If it is cloudy or the lunar eclipse is otherwise not available for viewing, you can watch a live broadcast from NASA. There will be seven more full moons in 2022, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac:
- September 10: Harvest moon
These are the popular names associated with the monthly full moons, originating from Indian tribes. The names vary from tribe to tribe because the full moon had different meanings in different tribes month by month or season by season.
Lunar and solar eclipses
In addition to another total lunar eclipse in 2022, there will be a partial solar eclipse, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Partial solar eclipses occur when the moon passes in front of the sun, but blocks only part of its light. Be sure to wear appropriate sunglasses to safely watch solar eclipses, as sunlight can damage your eyes.
A partial solar eclipse on October 25 will be visible to residents of Greenland, Iceland, Europe, Northeast Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, India and West China. It will not be seen from North America.
After this weekend, the next total lunar eclipse will also be shown for those in Asia, Australia, the Pacific and South and North America on November 8 between 3:01 am and 8:58 am ET – but the moon will set for those in the eastern regions of North America.
Meteor showers
See the other nine souls who will reach their peak in 2022:
- Southern Delta Aquariums: July 29-30
- Alpha Capricorns: July 30-31
- Southern Taurids: November 4-5
- Northern Tauris: 11-12 November
If you live in an urban area, you may want to drive to a place that is not lit by city lights to get the best view.
Find an open space with a wide view of the sky. Make sure you have a chair or blanket so you can look straight up. And give your eyes about 20 to 30 minutes – without looking at your phone or other electronics – to adjust to the darkness so that the meteors are easier to spot.
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