FILE - Light shines from a total lunar eclipse over Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse will grace the night skies this weekend, providing longer than usual thrills for stargazers across North and South America. The celestial action unfolds Sunday night, May 15, 2022 into early Monday morning, with the moon bathed in the reflected red and orange hues of Earth’s sunsets and sunrises for about 1 1/2 hours, the longest totality of the decade. It will be the first so-called blood moon in a year.
Katie Knol is WITF's General Assignment Reporter & Host.
She graduated from Penn State University in 2024, earning bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science. She has also worked at WPSU, the News Lab at Penn State, The Daily Collegian and CommRadio.
Ringo H.W. Chiu / AP Photo
FILE - Light shines from a total lunar eclipse over Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, May 26, 2021. A total lunar eclipse will grace the night skies this weekend, providing longer than usual thrills for stargazers across North and South America. The celestial action unfolds Sunday night, May 15, 2022 into early Monday morning, with the moon bathed in the reflected red and orange hues of Earth’s sunsets and sunrises for about 1 1/2 hours, the longest totality of the decade. It will be the first so-called blood moon in a year.
Central Pennsylvania, along with most of the country, will see a partial lunar eclipse tonight that will give the moon a reddish color often called a “blood moon.”
The last time the state saw a lunar eclipse was early March of this year, though NASA projects this upcoming event will be stronger.
What is a lunar eclipse?
A lunar eclipse is when the Earth moves directly between the sun and the moon. It casts a shadow on the moon, making it appear as a deep orange or red — hence the name “blood moon.”
Since this is a partial lunar eclipse, a small sliver of the normal silver moon will be visible.
What time is the lunar eclipse?
The lunar eclipse is estimated to start around 9:38 p.m. Thursday, reaching its maximum after midnight. It should end around 3 a.m. Friday.
Where will I be able to see the lunar eclipse?
All of Central Pennsylvania will be able to see the lunar eclipse, along with just under half of the world’s population.
However, some people might be battling against the weather to get a good view. ABC27 is forecasting scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day Thursday.
Is it safe to look at the lunar eclipse?
Yes!
Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are completely safe to view with the naked eye. Looking through a binocular or telescope will give a clearer view of Earth’s shadow crossing in front of the moon’s visible surface.
