The moon will pass into Earth’s shadow on November 8, 2022, resulting in a total lunar eclipse.
The last total lunar eclipse in three years will occur on November 8, 2022, with the next on March 14, 2025, though partial and penumbral lunar eclipses will be observed throughout that time.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow. This can happen exclusively when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are exactly or very closely aligned (in syzygy), with Earth between the other two, which can actually occur only on a full moon night when the Moon is close to either lunar node. The length and type of a lunar eclipse are determined by the moon’s closeness to the lunar node.
The dark red color of a completely eclipsed moon results from Earth completely blocking direct sunlight from reaching the moon, with the only light reflected from the lunar surface reflected back by Earth’s atmosphere. This light appears reddish for the same reason that a sunset or sunrise does: blue light Rayleigh scattering.
Apart from a solar eclipse, which can only be seen from a small portion of the globe, a lunar eclipse can be seen from anywhere on Earth’s night side. A total lunar eclipse can last up to nearly 2 hours, whereas a total solar eclipse could indeed last only a few minutes at any given location due to the moon’s smaller shadow. Because lunar eclipses are darker than full moons, they are safe to view without any protective eyewear or special precautions.
A lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth, and Moon all align, causing the Moon to transfer into the shadow of the Earth. During a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon is engulfed in the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. When the moon is in the umbra, it turns a reddish color. Because of this, lunar eclipses are often referred to as “Blood Moons.”
A lunar eclipse requires no special devices to watch, though binoculars or a telescope will improve the view and the red color. The great viewing requirements are in a dark environment far from bright lights.
