January 1, 2019
Millions of Americans will be able to witness a rare celestial event later this month: The Super Blood Moon Eclipse.
On the night between Sunday, January 20 and Monday, January 21, Earth’s shadow will creep over the bright moon as Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, turning the moon blood red. The event will be the last total lunar eclipse until May 26, 2021.
Lunar eclipses only happen during full moons and January’s will be bigger and brighter than average, making it a “Super Moon.” According to Space.com, the moon dims as it enters the outer part of the Earth’s shadow (the penumbra). The deep tint of the full lunar eclipse is visible once the moon enters the deepest part of the Earth’s shadow (the umbra). The bright red color appears once the moon is fully engulfed in the shadows.
Totality, or total coverage of the moon, will begin at 8:41 p.m. PT on January 20 and will last for 62 minutes. The entire 3.5-hour event—including partial eclipses before and after totality—will be visible from right here in Southern California!
At ECOS Institute, our 12-inch Dobsonion reflecting telescope allows clear views of celestial events such as these.