Blood Moon Looming Large
For those of us in the eastern USA, this eclipse will be spectacular. The Moon will be just above the horizon due west, so appearing to loom large.
The Earth casts a shadow in space and when the Moon passes through that shadow it is called an eclipse, an eclipse of the Moon. The partial phase will commence at 4:50 am EST (1) during the wee morning hours of Tuesday, March 3. We recommend getting to your observation site by 4:30 am to allow time to get settled in, especially if you are driving there. Nautical twilight will begin at 5:52 am, so seeing the Moon will gradually become more difficult, with the Sun rising at 6:21.
Because a lunar eclipse plays out over two hours, you can mount a camera on a tripod and get some pics, while still enjoying the eclipse! Scout out a safe observing sight, in advance of March 3, and pick one that is free or relatively free of night lights. Having a clear view of the western horizon is essential, unless you are planning on a creative photo of a tree in the foreground! Dress warmly. Pack binoculars, a lawn chair, snacks and a hot beverage! Have a telescope? Awesome. Set it up.
Photographer Karen Trotter took the photo above on September 27, 2015 about 15 minutes before the Moon was completely immersed in the Earth’s shadow.
Fun fact: Moving eastward, the Moon orbits a distance, equal to about its own diameter, every hour!
For summer youth enrichment, register for Space Science
A fun way to model a lunar eclipse: On a clear day, stand outside with your back to the Sun. Imagine your head is Earth and note the shadow it casts. Simply hold any round object (about the size of a golf ball) at arms length and pass it from right to left through the shadow.
The website Time & Date is an excellent resource for eclipse animations that show you what you will see from your location and in your local time. The timings are the same for anyone in the North American EDT zone.
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Photo credits
1. Blood Moon © 2015 Karen Trotter
2. Girls modeling the Earth – Moon system © Edge on Science LLC
References
1. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/usa/boston
