Posted in Alaska Natural Wonders, Nature January 15, 2019 by

The Next Lunar Eclipse Will Be Visible From Alaska And You Won’t Want To Miss Out

It’s begun! The countdown to Alaska’s Super Wolf Blood Moon, a total lunar eclipse, is ticking – and Alaska will be ready and waiting. This particular eclipse is very rare, as it includes quite an array of different celestial phenomena. Here’s what you need to know about this awesome event:

We have a total lunar eclipse happening soon, and it will be completely visible from Anchorage, Alaska. This will be the first total eclipse visible in its entirety in the US since 2010.
Dany Sternfeld / Flickr
The sun, moon, and Earth must all line up perfectly to be a total lunar eclipse. This particular eclipse will last for 62 minutes this year!
Mark your calendars! Sunday, January 20th, the total eclipse starts at 7:41 p.m. AKST. For the full effect, head out earlier, as the moon begins to go red around 6:30 p.m.
Diana Robinson / Flickr
The moon will appear to glow red, as the Earth scatters and refracts the light from the sun. The red colored moon is created in part from ash from volcanoes and fires on Earth.
This lunar eclipse will be a Super moon. A Super moon is when the moon is closest in its orbit to Earth. Super moons often appear much larger than they are. They are spectacular on their own to witness!
nmroshan / Flickr
It is also a Blood moon, which is the term given to eclipsed moons, as they appear red, or more often copper, in the sky.
The term Wolf moon is an older one, and the name originates with the Native Americans in old Colonial times.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / Flickr
The first full moon of the year in January was called a "Full Wolf Moon." Wolves were often heard outside of villages howling of hunger during the moon, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The total eclipse will end at 8:43 p.m., and the partial eclipse will be over at 9:50 p.m. The weather on this day is predicted to be around 31 degrees F, and in the past it has been cloudy 76% of the time in the last 19 years- so let's hope for a clear day!
tjaze / Flickr
Luckily, the brightness of this moon is such that you won't need a telescope. You should be able to go right outside and look at it after allowing your eyes to adjust to the darkness. The viewing will be better in areas without city lights.
You'll want to make sure not to miss this event, as this is the last one of the decade. NASA states the next one won't happen until 2021!
Dominique Dierick / Flickr
All of North and South America should have perfect viewing ability of this upcoming eclipse. The next one may not be quite as spectacular in Alaska, so try not to miss it!

Any of these 12 Places TO Spend The Night With The Northern Lights in Alaska would be a great place to view the lunar eclipse, as well!
Do you plan on checking out the eclipse this weekend?

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