In the briefest of moments, the sun and the moon will align exactly in between planet Earth to form a total lunar eclipse on Saturday, April 4, 2015. According to NASA, the total eclipse will take place from 6:16 a.m. to 7:58 a.m. ET (3:16 a.m. and 4:58 a.m. Pacific Time).
The lunar eclipse on Saturday is particularly special as it is known as the "tetrad," the third eclipse in a four-cycle series (the first lunar occurred on April 2014 while the second occurred on September 2014). During the tetrad cycle, the moon moves deeper into the sun's shadow and possesses a dark and reddish color. Because of this, the Saturday lunar eclipse will also be known as the "Red Moon."
People from all over the world will have an opportunity to see the celestial phenomenon, but experts say skywatchers of Western North America will have the best view. Specifically, Americans west of the Mississippi River will have the best view. Unfortunately, Americans on the east coast will have their lunar eclipse interrupted by the sunrise. Likewise, citizens of the South America, India, China, and Russia will also have an opportunity to see the lunar eclipse while people of Greenland, Icelend, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East will not get to see it at all.
"In New York City, the moon will be below the horizon at 6:36 a.m. although the partial eclipse from that location would actually end at 9:44 a.m. They only get to see the beginning of the eclipse," says Eric Edelman of the Slooh Observatory. That said, Edelman confirmed that the "Blood Moon" eclipse will be a Pacific Ocean spectacle that will be best scene in Eastern Australia, Japan, Hawaii, Northeastern Russia, and western Alaska.
"The farther west you are in the U.S., the more you will be able to see," explained Edelman.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark says that viewing conditions for residents in California should be pretty good. However, low clouds may be developing along the central coast as well as parts of Southern California, which may dull the eclipse. However, conditions are more unpredictable in the Pacific Northwest as there will be some spotty raindrops west of the Cascade Mountain Range. That said, the sky will be significantly more clear west of the Washington mountain range.
Finaly, lunar eclipse "totality," which occurs when the moon is fully within the Earth's shadow, will last for less than five minutes. According to Edelman, this will occur from 7:58 a.m. to 8:02 a.m. ET, or 4:58 a.m. to 5:02 a.m. Pacific.
In the Pacific Northwest, west of the Cascade Mountain Range, there will also be some spotty raindrops to dodge and overall conditions will be touch-and-go to catch a good view, according to AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Dave Houk. East of the Cascades in Washington, generally partly cloudy skies will offer a better opportunity for viewing, he said.
The moon will first begin passing through the outermost portion of the Earth's shadow (what's known as the penumbral stage) at 5:01 a.m. EDT, and viewers will notice a subtle dimming. It is when the Moon gets to the dark, inner (umbral) shadow that stargazers will see a distinctive darkness spread across the moon around 6:15 a.m. EDT.
This total eclipse will be known for its brevity, as the blood moon portion will last a little less than five minutes, making this the shortest total eclipse this century, Edelman said. From 7:58 a.m. EDT to 8:02 a.m. EDT is when those who crave celestial sightings will want to look to the sky to view the red moon.
"Totality" is when the Moon is fully inside Earth's shadow. Some total eclipses last for more than an hour but the reason for the abbreviated totality period is a result of the fact that the moon is skimming the outskirts of Earth's shadow rather than passing centrally through it, according to NASA.
If you do not live near the Pacific Ocean but would like to watch the blood moon live, be sure to click on the link to and witness the lunar eclipse via live stream online.
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