For many skywatchers, this week could mark the best lunar eclipse until late 2028.
Technically, it won't be a total lunar eclipse, but 96% of the full sturgeon moon will slip into Earth's darkest shadow Thursday, Aug. 27 and astronomers say it will present as a classic blood moon.
So if you've been hearing talk of a blood moon all over social media, you now know why as millions across the United States will have a chance to see the moon take on a deep reddish glow as it passes through Earth's shadow.
As the event approaches, one question is dominating search trends:
What time is the blood moon lunar eclipse?
For viewers on the East Coast, the eclipse begins Thursday night, Aug. 27, and reaches its maximum shortly after midnight Friday morning.
Key times for Eastern Time:
- Penumbral eclipse begins: 9:23 p.m. Thursday
- Partial eclipse begins: 10:33 p.m. Thursday
- Maximum eclipse: 12:12 a.m. Friday
- Partial eclipse ends: 1:51 a.m. Friday
- Eclipse ends: About 3 a.m. Friday
The best time to look
up will be around midnight, when Earth's shadow covers nearly all of the moon.
When will the moon turn red?
The reddish color becomes more noticeable as the moon moves deeper into Earth's shadow.
Even though a thin sliver of the moon will remain outside the darkest part of the shadow, most observers should still see the moon glow shades of copper, orange or deep red during the peak of the eclipse. Astronomers often refer to this appearance as a blood moon.
The most dramatic views are expected around the time of maximum eclipse shortly after midnight in the Eastern time zone.
Where will the blood moon lunar eclipse be visible?
The eclipse will be visible across most of North America, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Delaware, weather permitting. Parts of South America, Europe and Africa will also see the event.
Unlike a solar eclipse, no special glasses or equipment are needed.
A clear view of the sky and a little patience may be all that's required to watch the moon slowly darken and turn red.
Why is it called a blood moon?
The blood moon nickname comes from the moon's color during a lunar eclipse.
When sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere, shorter blue wavelengths are filtered out while red and orange light bend toward the moon. That filtered light is what gives an eclipsed moon its famous rusty-red appearance.
How long will the blood moon last?
The eclipse will unfold over several hours, but the most impressive viewing window will be centered around the maximum eclipse shortly after midnight Friday morning for viewers in the Eastern time zone.
For anyone planning to watch, the advice is simple: find a dark location, check the weather forecast and set a reminder before heading to bed.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending and breaking topics across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions for USA Today Network. Reach her at mfrancis@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What time is the blood moon lunar eclipse, why is the moon turning red?
