The Next Lunar Eclipse Will Be Visible From Pennsylvania And You Won’t Want To Miss Out
Get ready, PA! We all love a good show, right? And, sometimes the most spectacular of shows come courtesy of nature – whether it’s a lightning display during a thunderstorm or a gushing waterfall. Later this month, we’ll have a front row seat to another spellbinding display in the sky – a super blood moon during the next lunar eclipse. But, mark your calendar because if you miss it, you’ll have to wait several years for another one to occur.
Set your alarm for January 20 and 21, 2019 when the next total lunar eclipse will be visible in the United States, including Pennsylvania.
A total lunar eclipse, like we'll see in a few weeks, occurs when the earth, the moon, and the sun perfectly align. And, the moon will appear blood red "as it passes into the earth's shadow."
Fortunately, the eclipse will progress over several hours. At approximately 9:39 p.m. on January 20, 2019, the eclipse will begin. A partial eclipse will occur at at 10:33 p.m. when you'll notice the moon becoming red.
However, the moon will not turn blood red until the total eclipse, which starts at 11:41 p.m. But, if you can only be outside for a short time, make it at 12:12 a.m. for the maximum eclipse. That's when the moon will almost be entirely in the shadow of the earth.
And, we all remember having to wear those special glasses to view the partial solar eclipse in 2017. However, we can safely view a total lunar eclipse with the naked eye.
Speaking of solar eclipses, the next one's heading our way on April 8, 2024. Depending where you are in the state, you might just be in the path of the total solar eclipse. Erie can expect to be in that path while Western Pennsylvania will experience a near total - at 95 percent - eclipse.
Until then, however, plan to head outdoors on January 20-21, 2019 to catch the next eclipse. If you miss that one, you'll have to wait until May 26, 2021 for the next one.
Do you plan on going outdoors to see the super blood moon? Let us know in the comments! And, if you love a good nighttime show, plan a visit to Naylor Observatory. Click here to read more.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Pennsylvania In Your Inbox
Thank you! You will receive your first email soon.
