GoKawiilIf you missed the spectacular solar eclipse earlier this month, you have a chance to catch another stunning astronomical phenomenon: a partial lunar eclipse and “blood moon” that will occur on Thursday night into Friday early morning.
Earth’s shadow will cover nearly all of the bright lunar disk and will cast a reddish or orange hue on the moon’s surface.
The partial phase will last about three hours and 18 minutes. At its peak, it will have a threshold magnitude of 0.93, meaning that approximately 93 percent of the moon’s diameter will be within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow. Here’s what to expect and how to view it.
August Lunar Eclipse Timeline
While Europe was the prime viewing spot for the recent solar eclipse, the Americas will be the best location for viewing Thursday’s lunar event. The peak will occur at night across North and South America. Europe will also get a glimpse, but viewers there will have to wait until dawn. Even then, opportunities will be limited. In locations across Spain, for example, the breaking of day and the moon’s low altitude will make observation difficult. (Don’t feel too bad for folks there, though. They got a stunning view of the total solar eclipse a few weeks ago.)
Below is a list of the best times to observe the lunar eclipse in different cities, using local times for when the event will reach its peak. If you’re wanting to get the full experience, though, you can look toward the sky earlier and plan to stick around after.
New York: 12:14 am
Chicago: 11:14 pm
Denver: 10:14 pm
Los Angeles: 9:14 pm
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