Cabo Cañaveral, Florida: The Moon is set to take center stage soon, following its invisibility during the recent total solar eclipse. The Americas will have prime viewing spots when Earth’s shadow briefly covers the Moon. This event will unfold from Thursday night to Friday, with nearly 96% of the lunar surface obscured, making it a significantly deep partial eclipse.
The Moon has been in the spotlight recently. In April, NASA sent Artemis II astronauts on a record-breaking lunar flyby, paving the way for future missions aimed at landing on the Moon’s surface and eventually establishing a human and robot base over the coming years.
“This is an exciting time to be part of the space program. We’re not slowing down,” said NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway to The Associated Press from the International Space Station last week.
This lunar spectacle follows two weeks after a total solar eclipse passed over Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. The alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth allows these celestial bodies to sometimes obscure one another, due to their size and distance coincidence.
The upcoming lunar eclipse offers a slower-paced event, attracting a larger audience than Europe’s solar display. Those in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East will witness the eclipsed Moon, weather permitting. Even the International Space Station crew, including Hathaway and commander Jessica Meir, could observe this cosmic wonder.
The eclipse occurs when Earth positions itself between the Moon and Sun, casting a reddish-orange shadow over our lunar neighbor. While this is only a partial eclipse, it will last over three hours. The entire event, from the first entrance of the Moon into Earth’s faint outer shadow till its exit, spans 5:30 hours. The peak occurs shortly after midnight Eastern Time.
An estimated billion people in the U.S., Canada, Central, and South America will enjoy clear views throughout the eclipse. Worldwide, over 3 billion individuals (44% of the global population) will have opportunities to see at least part of the event.
Observers in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East may see the Moon set during the eclipse, shortening the event. Similarly, the Moon will rise late in the eastern Pacific, including Hawaii, and parts of the northwest U.S. and Canada.
This eclipse marks the year’s second lunar event and the fourth overall celestial eclipse. A total lunar eclipse graced skies earlier in March over the Americas, Australia, and East Asia. The next full lunar eclipse will occur on New Year’s Eve 2028, highlighting Asia and Australia. America’s next chance for a total lunar eclipse comes in 2029.
This coverage by The Associated Press’s Health and Science Department receives support from the Scientific Education Department of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Content is solely the responsibility of AP.