Blood moon: Total lunar eclipse set for march 13-14
By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
A total lunar eclipse will grace the skies on the evening of March 13 and early morning of March 14, providing an incredible opportunity for stargazers to witness the phenomenon of the “Blood Moon.”
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, causing the Moon to pass through Earth’s shadow.
During a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon falls into the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra. It is this alignment that gives the Moon its characteristic red-orange hue.
In Huntsville, the eclipse will begin in its partial phases at 10:57 p.m. on March 13, with totality occurring between 1:26 a.m. and 2:31 a.m. on March 14.
The maximum eclipse will be visible at 1:58 a.m.
The entire event will conclude at 5:00 a.m.While March often brings spring showers and clouds, there’s still a good chance the eclipse will be visible.
The brief period of totality lasts nearly an hour, and even with scattered clouds, the red-orange hue of the Moon may still be visible.
For optimal viewing, be sure to step away from city lights, and binoculars can enhance the experience.
NASA explains that sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere illuminates the Moon during an eclipse, with shorter wavelengths like blue scattering away.
This leaves the longer wavelengths – red and orange – to give the Moon its signature color.
If there’s more dust or cloud cover in Earth’s atmosphere, the redder the Moon will appear.