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NEW YORK (AP) — Prepare to witness a mesmerizing sight as a blood-red moon will soon appear in the sky during a total lunar eclipse. After this, such an event won’t occur again until the latter part of 2028.
This celestial phenomenon will be visible on Tuesday morning across North America, Central America, and the western regions of South America. Meanwhile, those in Australia and eastern Asia can enjoy the view on Tuesday night. Observers in Central Asia and much of South America will see partial phases, with portions of the moon appearing to be nibbled away. Unfortunately, Africa and Europe will miss out on this event.
Eclipses, both solar and lunar, occur due to the precise alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth. NASA notes that there are four to seven such events each year.
These eclipses typically occur in close succession, capitalizing on favorable alignments in the orbits of these celestial bodies. This upcoming total lunar eclipse follows closely on the heels of a spectacular “ring of fire” solar eclipse that recently captivated viewers, including those in Antarctica.
In a total lunar eclipse, Earth positions itself between the sun and the full moon, casting its shadow over the moon. The resulting blood moon appears red due to the sunlight that filters through Earth’s atmosphere.
The show unfolds over several hours, with totality lasting about an hour.
Compared to a solar eclipse, “the lunar eclipse is a little more of a relaxed pace,” said Catherine Miller at Middlebury College’s Mittelman Observatory.
For those in the path, there’s no need for any special equipment to observe — just a clear, cloudless view of the sky.
Use a forecasting app or any online celestial calendar to look up the exact timing for your area. Venture outside a few times to see Earth’s shadow darken the moon, eventually revealing the reddish-orange orb.
“You don’t have to be out there the whole time to see the shadows moving,” said astronomer Bennett Maruca with the University of Delaware.
There’s a partial lunar eclipse on the docket for August, visible across the Americas, Europe, Africa and west Asia.