With The Century’s Longest Lunar Eclipse Impending, Here’s What To Know
Image via NASA
The longest partial lunar eclipse of the century is slated to take place next week, between November 18 and 19. This time, the spectacle will be visible from North America, Alaska, Western Europe, Eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
Lunar eclipses occur when the Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the planet’s shadow to eclipse our view of the Moon. In this case, according to LiveScience, a partial eclipse will take place, meaning most of the sun’s light will be blocked, causing the moon to appear dark red.
At the moment, NASA predicts that the eclipse of the Micro Beaver Full Moon will last approximately three hours, reaching its peak at 4am EST. Its quirky name comes from the fact that the moon is at its farthest point from Earth during the phenomenon, and usually occurs during beaver-trapping season.
The three-hour-long partial eclipse will last nearly twice as long as the longest total eclipse this century, which lasted over an hour in 2018. It will also be the longest partial lunar eclipse in over 580 years, according to the Holcomb Observatory.
To find the exact eclipse timings for your precise location and timezone, click here.
[via LiveScience, cover image via NASA]
Also check out these recent news
