7 Things You Need To Know About North America’s Best ‘Blood Moon’ Total Lunar Eclipse Until 2029

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The coming total lunar eclipse on Election Day in the U.S.—Tuesday, November 8, 2022—is an event not to be missed if you happen to be on the night-side of Earth at the right time.

North America is in prime position for this “Blood Moon” total lunar eclipse though Europe misses out. It’s going to be a weird, wonderful sight with some odd features that go way beyond the Moon turning red for 85 minutes.

See my page for all the information you need to watch see the total lunar eclipse from where you are, but here are seven things you absolutely need to know:

1. When it happens depends on your timezone

Tuesday’s total lunar eclipse is a global event taking place simultaneously around the world with lunar totality at 10:16 through 11:42 Universal Time on 8 November 2022, but what you see depends on where you are. Exactly what time the eclipse will be visible from any location is easy to find out, but here are the times—for totality only—from North America:

  • 05:16- 06:42 EST on Tuesday, 8 November, 2022
  • 04:16- 05:42 CST on Tuesday, 8 November, 2022
  • 03:16- 04:42 MST on Tuesday, 8 November, 2022
  • 02:16- 03:42 PST on Tuesday, 8 November, 2022

2. Totality will be long and bright

A total lunar eclipse occurs when a full Moon passes through Earth’s 870,000 miles/1.4 million km long shadow in space. That happens just occasionally, and it can take anywhere from 105 minutes (as in 2018) to just five minutes (as in 2015).

In the early hours of November 8, 2022 it will last for 85 minutes and travel through the northern part of Earth’s shadow close to its edge, so the northern area of the eclipsed Moon is expected to be fairly bright during totality. That’s unlike the a deep, dark and jaw-dropping “Blood Moon” seen from North America last May.

3. There won’t be a ‘Blood Moon’ this good until 2029

This will be the final total lunar eclipse until 2025 and it won’t be equaled in length until 2029. The next total lunar eclipse will occur on March 14, 2025 and be visible from North America, South America and the Pacific, with some of the phases visible from Europe, Africa and Asia. However, totality will last 65 minutes.

The next totality to beat next week’s—and surpass it, in fact—will be a 102-minute event on June 26, 2029. That one will be visible from North America, South America and the Pacific, the Atlantic, Europe and Africa.

4. A blue-green planet will meet a red-orange Moon

The entire night-side of Earth will see not only a total lunar eclipse, but also the rare sight of the seventh planet Uranus. Uranus is far dimmer than the Moon, so even when they pass closely together it’s usually hidden in the glare from the lunar surface. However, during totality the Moon’s brightness is greatly lessened, revealing Uranus for much of the 1 hour 25 minutes totality. It should be a naked eye sight just above-left of the Moon (the farther west the observer, the closer they will be to each other), but have some binoculars handy just to make sure you get to see its tiny blue-green disc.

5. It will go red because of Rayleigh scattering

The only light that reaches the lunar surface will have first been filtered by the Earth’s atmosphere, which will result in the lunar surface going a reddish color for a stunning 85 minutes. Short-wavelength blue light from the Sun hits molecules in Earth’s atmosphere and scatters, but longer-wavelength red and orange light mostly travels right through, striking fewer molecules. So the dominant color of light we’ll see on the Moon for that short time will be red. It’s a bit like sunsets and sunrises.

6. A ‘Blood Moon’ will occult Uranus

As seen from parts of Asia and Alaska the Moon will move across and black-out Uranus in what astronomers call an “occultation.” What’s more it will do so during its 85 minutes totality phase. Expect to see some close-up images of Uranus very close to the limb of a reddish lunar surface. More details here.

If you want to watch the occultation live then visit the YouTube channel of the Hong Kong Space Museum, which will stream it from 18:00 until 21:00 HKT in Cantonese.

7. ‘Shooting stars’ may be visible during totality

The Taurid meteor shower peaks in the same week as the total lunar eclipse, so it may be possible to see “shooting stars” during totality. What’s more, the Taurids are predicted to be stronger than usual this year—and sometimes come with bright, colorful “fireballs.” It may be a longshot, but during totality the night sky will go surprisingly dark for what is a full Moon night. You’ll certainly see stars around the Moon.

Disclaimer: I am the editor of WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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