A quick PSA, folks: The lunar eclipse approaches!
The moon will slip into Earth’s shadow overnight Thursday into the wee hours of Friday morning.
According to Sky and Telescope, the partial phase begins 1:09 am EDT, mid-eclipse by 1:59 am, and the whole thing done around dawn at 5:30 am. But check their chart, I don’t want to steer you wrong.
It’s worth a heave out of bed to see this eerie and marvelous sight. All week, Luna has been gracing the hayfield and pond with that silvery light, echoed by the frogs singing back like sleighbells.
Overnight Thursday, that strange shadow-bite will take hold, and she’ll dim down to a ember. Each “blood moon” is a slightly different color, depending on atmospheric conditions here on Earth.
My favorite view is through binoculars. She’ll look like a cosmic pumpkin, floating out there in space, surrounded by a throng of dim stars. Her light temporarily dimmed, they’ll be able to shine through.
So set that alarm, drink plenty of water as a backup, and be sure to call all your friends at 2:30 am. If they complain, tell ‘em it could be worse. Not like it’s a bail out call, man. Now get outside.
Let me know what you see!
–Josh
Blood Orange. The 2022 Eclipse hangs in the arms of a friendly oak tree in Rustburg.