What should skywatchers know about ‘almost blood moon?’
USA TODAY’s Julia Gomez breaks down why August’s lunar eclipse is being called an “almost blood moon.”
August’s partial lunar eclipse, which is also called the “almost blood moon,” will occur tonight, but only part of the country will be able to see the whole show.
The East Coast and parts of the Midwest will be able to see the entire eclipse, from start to finish, on the night of Thursday, Aug. 27, according to NASA. Other areas of the country, like the West Coast, will only be able to see the eclipse after it begins.
The eclipse will also be visible in western Europe, western Africa and the Southern Hemisphere, where all of South America will be able to see the entire eclipse.
While the eclipse is only partial, meaning only part of the moon will be covered by Earth’s shadow, it’s often called an “almost blood moon” because a whopping 96% of the moon will be eclipsed.
“So there will be a little part of the moon that will still glow, and the rest of it will be dark,” Nico Cappelluti, an associate professor in astrophysics and cosmology at the University of Miami, previously told USA TODAY.
Here’s what to know.
What time will the partial lunar eclipse take place?
The eclipse will begin on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 9:23 p.m. ET, according to Time and Date. It will reach maximum eclipse when the moon is most covered, on Friday, Aug. 28, at 12:12 a.m. ET.
Where will the partial lunar eclipse be visible?
The eclipse will be visible across the country, from New York City to Hawaii, according to NASA. But not every state will get to see the full show.
All of the East Coast and parts of the Midwest will be able to see the full eclipse, from the moment it starts to the second it ends, according to NASA.
People in California and areas near the West Coast won’t be able to see the eclipse until after it enters the second phase, when the face of the moon begins to be covered by Earth’s shadow. But they will still be able to see the moment the eclipse peaks and Earth’s shadow covers most of the moon.
Alaska and Hawaii won’t catch the eclipse until the very end, as the Earth begins to move away and its shadow has already begun to move away from the moon.
See cloud coverage across the country
Sky cover is forecasted to hover around the East and West Coasts about an hour before the lunar eclipse reaches its peak, which could impact your view, according to the National Weather Service. But areas across the Midwest and Pacific Northwest are expected to have little cloud coverage.
For more exact forecasts, check the weather in your area using your local weather service office or other reliable sources ahead of the lunar eclipse.
Tips for seeing the partial lunar eclipse
The lunar eclipse is visible to the naked eye, and observers will not require any visual aids, such as telescopes or binoculars, to view it, according to Cappelluti. Your phone can also be used to capture pictures of the eclipse.
Those who plan to stay up at night to watch the eclipse and want the optimal experience should do the following:
- Check the weather and cloud cover in your area to ensure conditions are optimal for viewing the celestial events.
- Find a dark location away from light pollution.
- Give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark.
- Avoid looking at phones or bright lights.
The moon rises in the east and sets in the west, so make sure you have an unobstructed view, clear of buildings or clouds, of the eastern and western horizons if you want to catch the moon rise and set.
To be as comfortable as possible, dress appropriately for the weather, use bug spray and bring a blanket, a sleeping bag or a reclining chair to lie on.
While following the steps listed above might give you a better view of the night sky, it isn’t required to move away from light pollution to get a better view of the eclipse like you would for other celestial events, like meteor showers. As long as you have a clear view of the sky, where buildings and clouds won’t block your sight of the moon, you should be able to watch the eclipse from anywhere in the country.
Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers space phenomena, scientific studies and natural disasters. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.