Residents of the United States, Canada, Central and South America will have front‑row seats to a near‑total lunar eclipse that begins Thursday night and peaks just after midnight Eastern Daylight Time. The eclipse will mask roughly 96% of the Moon’s surface, making it one of the deepest partial eclipses of the year.
What to expect
The Moon will enter Earth’s penumbral shadow before moving into the darker umbral shadow, where the majority of the lunar disk will be obscured. The partial phase will last more than three hours, while the entire event—from the moment the Moon first touches the faint outer edge of Earth’s shadow until it exits—will span about five and a half hours. Because the alignment is not perfect, the Moon will not turn a deep “blood‑red,” but a reddish‑orange hue will still be visible.
Viewing conditions
Clear skies are essential for a good view. In the United States, the eclipse will be visible from coast to coast, with the western states seeing the event later in the night. In Canada, most of the country will enjoy the full partial phase, while the eastern seaboard will see the Moon set before the eclipse ends. In Mexico and Central America, observers will see the eclipse high in the sky. The event will also be visible in parts of South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, though in those regions the Moon will be setting as the eclipse progresses.
Space‑based perspective
NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, currently aboard the International Space Station, confirmed that the crew will have a unique view of the eclipse from orbit. Seven other astronauts on the ISS and three crew members on China’s Tiangong space station will also witness the event, providing a rare “outside‑the‑planet” perspective.
Why it matters
While eclipses are predictable astronomical events, they serve as a reminder of the precise cosmic mechanics that allow the Sun, Moon and Earth to align. The coincidence that the Sun and Moon appear the same size in the sky—despite the Sun being 400 times larger and 400 times farther away—creates the conditions for both solar and lunar eclipses.
The eclipse follows a total solar eclipse that crossed Greenland, Iceland and Spain two weeks earlier, illustrating the natural pairing of these phenomena. Earlier this year, NASA’s Artemis II mission performed a historic lunar flyby, underscoring renewed interest in lunar exploration and the long‑term goal of establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon.
How to watch safely
Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to view with the naked eye. No special equipment is required, though binoculars or a small telescope can enhance detail. Local astronomy clubs and planetariums may host viewing events, and many news outlets will provide live coverage as the eclipse progresses.
For those unable to see the eclipse in person, several space agencies and media organizations will stream the event online, allowing viewers worldwide to experience the celestial display in real time.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
