Hope for clear skies, if you’re in North or South America. Tomorrow night will feature a total eclipse of the moon, with the total phase beginning around 10 p.m. EST. and lasting 51 minutes.
A lunar eclipse occurs at least twice per year, whenever Earth’s shadow falls on the moon. Interestingly, the moon is always full during eclipses. When the moon passes through the Earth’s umbra and penumbra (the darkest and lightest parts of the shadow, respectively) the moon will begin to glow an eerie red color, and at maximum eclipse, the moon will appear to be surrounded by a glowing ring, called an annulus.
Time to bust out those Christmas binoculars!
via. Photo by David Cortner, found on the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
