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Hours before citizens across the country vote in controversial midterm elections, an ominous red moon will loom in the sky. The last total lunar eclipse of 2022 is scheduled to have the moon red during the early morning hours of Tuesday. Residents of both coasts will be able to see the show for just under 90 minutes.
Total lunar eclipses, commonly known as “Blood Moons,” only occur during full moons when the Earth completely shields the Moon from the Sun. Once the sun, earth, and moon are exactly aligned, light from simultaneous sunrises and sunsets around the earth is projected onto the moon, briefly causing a coppery red layer on the moon’s surface. The more dust or clouds in Earth’s atmosphere during the eclipse, the redder the moon will appear, according to NASA.
From the Moon, the total lunar eclipse would shine a bright red aura around Earth’s dark surface.
“It’s a wonderful reminder of this really special connection between the Earth, the moon and the sun,” said Noah Petro, NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter project scientist.
The full moon will glow copper-red from 5:17 am to 6:42 am EST. But moon fanatics can wake up at 3:02 a.m. to watch the moon enter the outer part of Earth’s shadow, called a “penumbral” lunar eclipse; this will cause the moon to darken slightly. The partial eclipse, which will look like a bite has been taken out of the moon’s surface, is scheduled to begin at 4:09 am.
Everyone on the night side of Earth will be able to see the eclipse. Viewers on the West Coast will be able to view the total lunar eclipse without interruption because it will occur in the middle of the night. East Coast residents will see the copper moon sink into the horizon due to the early hours of sunrise. Hawaii is the “absolute ideal location” to view the eclipse, Petro said.
“Anywhere, effectively west of the central part of the country is in a slightly more privileged location,” Petro said. “Like real estate, it’s all about location.”
The first lunar eclipse of the year bathed the moon in a coat of rusty bronze last May. Those in California and the Pacific Northwest were only able to see the second half of the eclipse.
Photos: A blood moon eclipse lights up the night sky
In a given year there can be as few as two lunar eclipses and as many as four, Geoff Chester, an astronomer and public affairs officer at the U.S. Naval Observatory, told the Washington Post. If there are two in a year, both are usually total lunar eclipses.
“Twice a year, someone somewhere on the planet will see a total lunar eclipse if it’s a year where we have two eclipses,” Chester said.
Unlike the blinding effect of solar eclipses, you don’t need special equipment to see the reddish hues, but observing in a dark environment away from bright lights allows for the best view, according to NASA.
Astronomers can determine total lunar eclipses years in advance because of their knowledge of the Moon’s orbital patterns.
“It all comes down to knowing the moon’s orbit very precisely where we can predict to the minute a solar and lunar eclipse,” Petro told The Post.
While scientists can predict the exact time the different phases of the eclipse will take place, there’s one thing they can’t predict: its color. The shade of total lunar eclipses varies from eclipse to eclipse, from coppery gold to deep red.
“We don’t know exactly from eclipse to eclipse [what color] we will reach the moment of totality. And that adds an element of fun,” Chester said.
This is the last time U.S. residents will be able to see a fully tinted moon until May 14, 2025. But those who miss that sighting will be able to see partial and penumbral lunar eclipses between now and then.
A faint penumbral lunar eclipse is scheduled to occur on May 5 and 6 next year, and a partial lunar eclipse is scheduled for October 28, but neither of these eclipses will cause the Moon to looks red
“Every eclipse is special because they are wonderful opportunities to go outside and look at the moon, our closest neighbor in space,” Petro said.
In two years, a total solar eclipse will travel from Texas to Maine