After the first partial solar eclipse that took place on April 30, 2022, now people will be able to witness the first total lunar eclipse of the year. The total lunar eclipse of 2022 will take place on the night of May 15-16. On the night of May 15 the Moon will enter the Earth's shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse, the first since May of 2021, according to NASA. The total lunar eclipse or Chandra Grahan of the year will be seen between the late evening of May 15 and the early morning of May 16. The eastern half of the United States and all of South America will have the opportunity to see every stage of the lunar eclipse. While totality will be visible in much of Africa, western Europe, Central and South America, and most of North America.
According to a report by AP, the red moon or blood moon will be visible for about 1 and a half hours, one of the longest totalities of the decade. “This is really an eclipse for the Americas,” said NASA's Noah Petro, a planetary geologist who specializes in the moon. “It's going to be a treat.” “This is this gradual, slow, wonderful event that as long as it’s clear where you are, you get to see it,” Petro added, as quoted by AP.
What is a lunar eclipse? For the uninitiated, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align so that the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow. In a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra. When the Moon is within the umbra, it will turn a reddish hue. Lunar eclipses are sometimes called “Blood Moons” because of this phenomenon.
NASA will feature livestreams of the eclipse from locations across the United States. It will also host an episode of NASA Science Live, from 11 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET.
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