If you’ve got plans for Friday, March 14, you may want to cancel them now. I’ve already done so because next week’s amazing celestial show will keep stargazers up most of the night.
On the night of Thursday/Friday, March 13/14, we in North America will enjoy our first total eclipse of the moon in several years, and it’s something you won’t want to miss.
The cosmic show begins at 10:09 p.m. PDT, when the Earth’s dark inner shadow (the umbra) appears to take a bite out of the moon’s eastern limb.
I know this partial eclipse will appear like the shadow is moving across the full moon’s face, but it’s actually the moon that’s drifting through the shadow.
The moon will continue to dim as it enters deeper into our planet’s shadow until 11:26 p.m. PDT, when the moon becomes completely engulfed. If the sky is clear, we will see it take on a coppery hue.
This deep orange color occurs because sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere is reddened and bent inward toward the darkened surface of the totally eclipsed moon.
Just how colorful and bright it appears will depend on the clarity of Earth’s atmosphere at the time.
During totality, the moon’s appearance could range anywhere from bright orange to practically invisible.
Little more than 30 minutes later — around 11:59 p.m. PDT — the eclipse will reach its midpoint. For another 33 minutes or so, the moon will continue drifting out of the Earth’s umbral shadow until it exits at 1:48 a.m. PDT.
Click here to find the times for your town on the interactive map at timeanddate.com. You’ll be able to scroll around, zoom in and click on your location to get more details for your area.
You’ll also find helpful links there for some terrific animations and even a link to watch the eclipse via livestream in case your sky is cloudy.
Unlike an eclipse of the sun, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to view without protective filters. Your eyes are all you need, but if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may find viewing to be even more enjoyable.
You’ll be able to watch the sky show even from under bright city lights, but for a truly special display, venture out under the dark wilderness skies.
Here the sky will darken during totality, and the moon will appear suspended eerily between the springtime stars of Leo and Virgo.
To find links about the workings of lunar eclipses or how to try your hand at photographing this celestial spectacle, check out Fred Espenak’s webpage at mreclipse.com.
And to learn if anyone in your area is hosting a free lunar eclipse viewing party, check with your local planetarium, college or amateur astronomy club.
Of course, I wish everyone clear skies that night, but if the weather causes us to miss the show, North American skywatchers will get another chance in early September!
