Here in Miami, we may not always have the best chance of seeing the northern lights, meteor showers or other rare displays in our night skies. But a total lunar eclipse is set to paint the moon red on Thursday night into early Friday morning — giving us a front row seat to look up at the spectacle! Here’s what to know about this so-called blood moon.
What is a blood moon?
A blood moon happens when the Earth’s moon is in a total lunar eclipse. The moon receives a reddish tinge as the Earth’s shadow crosses its surface, blocking the direct sunlight.
“During a lunar eclipse, the moon appears red or orange because any sunlight that’s not blocked by our planet is filtered through a thick slice of Earth’s atmosphere on its way to the lunar surface,” NASA says. “It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon.”
This doesn’t happen very often. In fact, the lunar eclipse happening this week is the first to occur in over two years!
How to see the blood moon from Miami
According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon is expected to reach peak illumination on Friday, March 14, at 2:55 a.m. It is expected to enter Earth’s outer shadow at 11:57 p.m. the day prior, on March 13. The eclipse will end on Friday morning at 6 a.m., meaning you’ll have six total hours to catch it before it’s gone!
On the bright side, no special equipment is needed and Florida is expected to have the best weather conditions for viewing the astronomical event. For the best views, look for an area with a clear view of the horizon, such as a rooftop, and get away from bright street lights if possible. Happy stargazing!