Thursday night, Chicagoans will have the opportunity to witness a lunar eclipse — a rare alignment between the sun, the moon and the stars.
More than 96% of the moon will be obscured by earth’s shadow and could turn a deep red color, the reason for the nickname “blood moon.”
“Every lunar eclipse is special,” said Hunter Miller, public observing educator at the Adler Planetarium. “We don’t get them super often… Anytime the lunar eclipse happens, especially one with this much coverage, it’s going to be exciting.”
For those looking to catch a glimpse of the eclipse, this is your chance — the next full eclipse of the moon isn’t until 2029. Follow these tips from astronomy experts to get the best view.
When is the eclipse happening?
The partial eclipse will start around 9:30 p.m. Thursday with the maximum coverage around 11:15 p.m., Miller said.
This is earlier than many eclipses that happen around 2 or 3 a.m., Miller said.
“This is one of those times where you said we really will have the best seat because we won’t have to get up at oh-dark-thirty hours,” Michelle Nichols, Adler Planetarium’s director of public observing, told Sasha Ann Simons on WBEZ’s ‘In the Loop.’
The eclipse will end at 12:58 a.m. Friday, Nichols said.
What exactly is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth’s shadow obscures all or part of the moon.
Thursday’s eclipse is a partial eclipse, meaning the entire moon won’t be in Earth’s shadow, but at 96%, the eclipse can be described as near-total.
A total lunar eclipse stretched over the Americas, Australia and eastern Asia in March.
A lunar eclipse is not to be confused with a solar eclipse, which occurs when the moon aligns directly between the sun and the Earth, blocking sunlight from reaching the Earth. A total solar eclipse occurred earlier this year, but most of the Americas missed out on the view as its path was centered over Europe.
How do I make sure I have a good view?
The moon won’t be that high in the sky, so people hoping to see it need to make sure they have a good view to the south and southeast.
This eclipse doesn’t require a dark sky, so it’s a good opportunity for people who live in cities like Chicago and deal with light pollution to see an eclipse.
Chicago isn’t alone in keeping its eyes on the sky. Billions across North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East will be able to see the eclipsed moon, provided the skies are clear, the Associated Press reported.
Do I need any special tools or equipment?
Unlike a solar eclipse, which can damage your eyes if you look directly at it without special glasses, a lunar eclipse can be enjoyed with the naked eye.
A telescope or binoculars could provide a better view with more detail of the moon, but they’re certainly not necessary.
Why does the moon turn red?
The red color cast on the moon is more than just a shadow, Miller says.
“That color is the reflected light of every single sunrise and sunset happening on the Earth in that moment,” Miller said. “So that light that curves around the edges of the Earth strikes its surface, creating that stunning red color, and it’s such a beautiful connection between our home here on Earth and the moon in the night sky.”
Contributing: Marie Mendoza and Sasha-Ann Simons.