A rare total lunar eclipse will turn the moon red on Election Day 2022 - mlive.com
- Updated: Nov. 02, 2022, 11:16 a.m.|
- Published: Nov. 02, 2022, 11:14 a.m.
A lunar eclipse. Marcus Schneck | mschneck@pennlive.com.
A total lunar eclipse will turn the full moon into a rust-red spectacle early in the morning on Tuesday, November 8 — the first time in U.S. history a total lunar eclipse will fall on Election Day.
This astronomical event is also the last total lunar eclipse until 2025, according to NASA.
While eclipses themselves aren’t rare, a total lunar eclipse is special because it can only happen when the Earth, sun and moon line up so precisely that the moon passes through the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow.
Under these conditions, blue and violet light waves from the sun are scattered, leaving red- and orange-hued light waves to project onto the moon and make it appear red, NASA says. Dust in the Earth’s atmosphere can also amplify the reddish hue. This is why lunar eclipses are sometimes called “Blood Moons.”
Tuesday’s eclipse will span more than five hours, but the eclipse’s totality — the period of time when the moon sits entirely in the Earth’s shadow — will take place from 5:17 a.m. to 6:42 a.m. EST.
The eclipse will also fall just days after the peak night for the annual Taurid meteor shower, which is known for producing bright, colorful fireballs.
Under clear skies, the eclipse will be visible across North and Central America, and can be easily viewed with the naked eye, though a telescope or binoculars could help you enjoy an even more impressive view. Areas with dark skies, such as rural spots and designated dark sky parks, create the best viewing conditions.
For an hourly schedule of how the eclipse will unfold, visit nasa.gov.
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