What better way to welcome the New Year than with an enchanting celestial event guaranteed to go down in history? Later this month, a lunar eclipse unlike anything we've seen before will illuminate the Texas night sky in a mystical red glow. Here's everything you need to know about it:
Lunar eclipses can only occur during full moons - a phenomenon incredible enough as it is - but get this: the upcoming eclipse on January 20th will also be a Blood Moon and a Wolf Moon, creating a trifecta of events guaranteed to captivate the entire nation.
Never heard of a Wolf Moon? This is simply a name for the first full moon of a calendar year.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth, and moon are in perfect alignment. The moon passes directly behind Earth, entering its shadow and appearing to darken right before the eyes of onlookers.
The spectacle will begin at about 9:30 p.m. Central time. You'll have a five-hour viewing window, however only a small sliver of that is a total eclipse.
The full eclipse is expected to last from approximately 11:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. on January 21st. This is when the Moon will be the most mesmerizing, as its fiery red hue shines at maximum intensity.
Unlike solar eclipses, this one is safe to look at with the naked eye.
This amazing lunar event is one you definitely don’t want to miss, as the next opportunity to witness another total eclipse won’t be until 2021.
Mark your calendar and cross your fingers for clear, cloudless skies!
Click here for an interactive map where you can input your city to see the best viewing time down to the second.
Where will you be watching this amazing astronomical event from? Let us know in the comments section!
Who remembers the Great American Eclipse of 2017? Check out this article to refresh your memory about the incredible phenomenon.
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