Weather permitting, skywatchers in Arizona will be able to see a total lunar eclipse tonight — the first and only “blood moon” of the year.
Look for the full moon rising after 6 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) this evening over the eastern horizon.
The eclipse begins around 9 p.m. and will reach totality around midnight. That’s when the entire surface of the Moon is covered by Earth’s shadow and will appear a deep, dark red for about an hour. Then, the shadow will gradually slide away from the moon and vanish at 3 a.m.
This eclipse takes place during a micromoon, meaning the moon is nearly at its farthest point from Earth in its orbit. It will appear somewhat smaller than usual.
The next chance to see a total lunar eclipse in Arizona won’t be until May of next year.
