Dust off your telescope, because tonight's (November 8) Blood Moon will grace the skies for all to see.
What is a Blood Moon eclipse?
A Blood Moon is an astronomical phenomenon that causes the moon to appear a light red colour, in contrast to the moon’s typical shiny white appearance.
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The phenomenon is caused by a total lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse is the term given to when the moon, Earth and sun are perfectly aligned.
A Total Lunar Eclipse, where the entire moon falls into the shadow of the earth, occurs once every two and a half years.
With the sun and moon on either side of the earth, the earth’s shadow extends over the moon's surface.
However, some of the sun’s light bounces off the earth’s atmosphere and still manages to reach the surface of the moon. This is what causes the moon to appear red for us here on earth.
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How to view the Blood Moon eclipse?
The Blood Moon eclipse will light up skies all across the world.
From Central and North America, to places in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, millions of stargazers will be able to view the Total Lunar Eclipse on Tuesday night.
While the Blood Moon will be visible to the naked eye, NASA recommends viewing the eclipse with a telescope or binoculars, if you have access to one.
Of course, like most stargazing, the less light pollution that surrounds your environment, the clearer your view will be.
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The Blood Moon will be visible in Australia during the following times:
- VIC/NSW/ACT/TAS - 8:09pm to 11.49pm ( the moon will at its most red from 9.16pm to 10.41pm)
- SA- 7:43pm to 11:19pm (the moon will be at its most red from 8:46pm to 10.11pm)
- QLD- 7:09pm to 10.49pm ( the moon will at its most red from 8.16pm to 9.41pm)
- NT- 6:42 pm to 10:19pm ( the moon will at its most red from 7.46pm to 9.11pm)
- WA- 6:43pm to 8:49pm ( the moon will at its most red from 6.43pm to 7.41pm)
If you won't be able to run outside and witness the Blood Moon, NASA will also livestreaming the Total Lunar Eclipse from their YouTube page.
Total Lunar Eclipses are quite a rare sight.
After this coming eclipse, the next Total Lunar Eclipses won't be until 13 March 2025. So make sure you take a second to look up and catch a glimpse of the Blood Moon!
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Topics: Australia
Velentina Boulter