Mark your calendars, Magic City, for the Beaver Moon lunar eclipse, the last lunar eclipse of the year – as well as the longest-lasting in nearly 600 years – is set to take over the sky in the pre-dawn hours of November 19. [Featured image: Shutterstock]
Beginning in the wee morning hours of Friday morning, North Americans will be treated to the celestial phenomenon of a partial lunar eclipse. The entirety of the eclipse will span for six hours beginning at 12:02 am CST, ending at 6:03 am CST. Whereas the partial lunar eclipse will be visible from 2:18 a.m. until 5:47 a.m., reaching its maximum at 4:02 a.m. according to Time and Date. This makes it the longest partial lunar eclipse (roughly 3 and a half hours) in over 580 years!
A partial lunar eclipse occurs when a portion of the moon passes into the Earth’s shadow. In the case of Beaver Moon 2021, 97% of the moon will be immersed in the umbra – the darkest part of the Earth’s shadow – at its maximum eclipse.
During its maximum eclipse, which will occur at 3:03 am CST, the moon might take on a reddish hue, according to the observatory. The phenomenon will be visible in the Americas, as well as Australia, and in select parts of Asia and Europe.
Movie of the "NEAR TOTAL ECLIPSE." LONGEST PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE in 580 years occurs on morning of November 19th. 1st parts of the eclipse begin at 1:02AM EST. Max eclipse occurs at 4:02 AM when 97% of MOON in darkest part of Earth's shadow. pic.twitter.com/2HwPpqPbbd
— Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium (@holcombobserv) November 13, 2021
The Beaver Moon lunar eclipse is so-called due to the presence of the Beaver Moon in the month of November, in which beavers prepare for the winter season.
The 3.5-hour partial lunar eclipse this Friday will be the longest since 1440, one that won’t happen again until the year, 2669. It will be the last to occur this year, with the next total lunar eclipse to occur on May 16 of next year.