It is time to see the moon make its way through the shadow of Earth.
The event is called a lunar eclipse. During the event, people will view the Flower Moon in full and it will turn red temporarily. The red color will be seen through the night on Sunday going into Monday morning. The time will depend on where each person is located. The event will be streaming on webcasts beginning at 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Even though the time can vary based on location, TimeandDate.com states that the partial phase of the eclipse will start at 10:28 p.m. EDT. on May 15. The peak of the Red Moon will start at 12:11 a.m. on May 16. The event will end at 1:55 a.m.
Lunar Eclipse Locations
Fred Espenak, an Eclipse scientist, listed the full moon event as a supermoon. This makes the event more special. The event is at the perigee phase, which is when it is the closest to the moon during its orbit. A slightly bigger moon will be seen during the Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse.
The overall stage of the eclipse will occur in areas of Europe, Antarctica, the East Pacific, parts of America, and Africa. This will show the moon going into a darker shadow of the earth.
The shadow eclipse is also visible in the Middle East, New Zealand, and Eastern Europe. The moon will become darkend as the umbrella stage of Earth casts upon the exterior. This phase will start approximately an hour prior to the partial eclipse and will end almost 60 minutes after.
NASA’s Explanation of Lunar Eclipse
NASA explained that a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth, sun, and moon align with each other as the moon passes through the shadow.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac said that when sun rays reach Earth most of the green and blue lights disperse and the red and orange colors stay visible. The moon will turn a red color and is known as the blood moon. Chief of NASA’s Geophysics, Geology, and Geochemistry lab, Noah Petro, explained that some will be unable to see the event as it has to be nightfall to be visible.
Approximately two lunar eclipse events happen annually. The next event will take place in November. The next total lunar eclipse will not take place until March 2025, Petro added.
Safety and Viewing
He announced that it is safe to see the event with a naked eye. Petro proclaimed that it is the greatest thing about the events that people do not need equipment besides interest and passion to be outdoors and have a clear view.
For the best conditions to view the event, steer clear of tall buildings and bright lights. Those could have an impact on the view.
With the peak only lasting a short time, the copper tone of the moon will change all through the night. The changes will make the celestial event intriguing to watch during the eclipse instead of at any particular time, according to Petro.
Written by Marrissa Kay
Sources:
Space: The Super Flower Blood Moon lunar eclipse of 2022 occurs tonight! Here’s what to expect.; by Elizabeth Howell
Space: Want to see the Super Flower Blood Moon? Here’s one scientist’s tips for the total lunar eclipse.; by Elizabeth Howell
CNN: A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon red. Here’s how to watch; by Megan Marples and Ashley Strickland
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Scott Foss’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Jim Liestman’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
