Sky-watchers in the Western Hemisphere will have the opportunity to witness a breathtaking sight this week as the full moon transforms into a crimson hue during a total lunar eclipse. This rare celestial event will be visible in various regions across the globe, including western Africa, western Europe, the Americas, eastern Australia, New Zealand, northern Japan, and eastern Russia on Thursday evening and Friday morning.
During a lunar eclipse, the Earth aligns between the sun and the moon, creating a nearly perfect lineup of the three celestial bodies. This phenomenon, known as syzygy, causes the moon to pass into the Earth’s shadow, resulting in the moon taking on a dramatic reddish tone, often referred to as a “blood moon.” The eclipse is expected to last for about an hour, with the peak of the total eclipse occurring at 2:26 a.m. ET on Friday.
While some regions may experience cloudy weather, experts suggest finding a spot away from bright city lights to observe the eclipse. Despite the common belief that special equipment such as binoculars or telescopes are needed to view a lunar eclipse, this celestial event can be observed with the naked eye. The unique sight of a blood moon has not been seen since November 2022, making this upcoming event a special opportunity for sky enthusiasts.
Unlike a total solar eclipse where the sun disappears completely during totality, the moon will remain visible during the total lunar eclipse due to sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere and reaching the moon’s surface. The dim lighting from this phenomenon will cause the moon to appear orange or red, depending on the atmospheric conditions. The eclipse will unfold in phases over six hours as the moon gradually moves through Earth’s shadow and emerges on the other side.
This week’s total lunar eclipse coincides with March’s full moon, known as the worm moon by various indigenous groups. The moon will reach its fullest point at 2:55 a.m. ET on Friday morning and will appear full into Saturday morning. As the first moon of the spring season, the worm moon is also considered to be a micromoon, appearing about 7% smaller than a typical full moon due to its greater distance from Earth.
Furthermore, this total lunar eclipse will be followed by a partial solar eclipse on March 29, with eclipses typically occurring in pairs. This pattern will continue in the fall, with another total lunar eclipse followed by a partial solar eclipse in September. The upcoming celestial events offer sky-watchers a chance to witness the wonders of the universe and marvel at the beauty of the night sky.