What Time Is Wednesday’s Lunar Eclipse? When to Watch in Every State
In the early hours of Wednesday, January 31 much of the U.S. will experience a majestic total lunar eclipse as the sun, Earth, and moon line up.
The moon will pass through Earth's shadow in space, and turn shades of orange, copper and red during a beautiful totality lasting 1 hour and 16 minutes.
Related: A Stargazing Program For Beginners
Although a total lunar eclipse is not as rare as a total solar eclipse, Wednesday's is being billed as an ultra-rare Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse. This full moon is close to being a supermoon, a recent term now used to denote when it's slightly closer to Earth than usual in its elliptical orbit.
The Wednesday lunar eclipse is also being called a Blue Moon, because it's the second full moon of the calendar month (though astronomers argue that a true blue moon is the third of four full moons in one astronomical season). More importantly, the moon won't turn blue, and nor will it turn blood red as the term suggests. Instead, expect to see the moon gradually change hue from grey to brown, copper, pink, and deep orange.
This is the first total lunar eclipse visible from the U.S. since September 2015, but sky-watchers won't have to wait too long for the next one one. The next total lunar eclipse visible across North America will occur January 21, 2019, when the whole of the U.S. will get a perfect view. Lunar eclipse January 2018 is best seen as a warm-up to lunar eclipse January 2019.
January 31, 2018 Lunar Eclipse Map
Sadly not everyone in the U.S. will get a perfect view of the entire total lunar eclipse, as this January 31 lunar eclipse map of the path and visibility shows. That's because the moon will be setting for many in the eastern U.S. as it passes into the Earth’s shadow, so the maximum part of the eclipse will occur when the moon has dropped below the horizon.
You can check exactly what time the total lunar eclipse will occur wherever you are by visiting timeanddate.com and entering the name of your nearest town or city. Although the event begins with a penumbral eclipse (when the Moon enters the Earth's outer shadow and loses some of its brightness), it's only during the later partial and total eclipse phases that the Moon will turn a reddish color.
What time is the Super Blue Blood Moon and lunar eclipse in each state?
What time does the lunar eclipse start? Although the most interesting phase of the eclipse — totality — will last 1 hour and 16 minutes, the whole process will take more than four hours. However, whether you will be in a position to watch some or all of this total lunar eclipse before you go to work on Wednesday depends on where you live.
So what’s the best time to see the lunar eclipse? If you're in the eastern U.S. and Canada, you won't be able to see the reddish totality, and will have to look very low on the western horizon for a glimpse of a partially eclipsed moon (which is still an odd sight worth waking up early for).
The West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii will have the very best views of totality, and will see the entire eclipse from start to finish. However, Midwesterners will catch a glimpse of a reddish moon just before sunrise on Wednesday, and those in the mountain states certainly will.
Elsewhere in the world, observers in Australia and eastern Asia will see a total lunar eclipse begin soon after moonrise on January 31. If you can't see totality where you, NASA Television and the agency’s website will provide live coverage from 5:30 a.m. EST.
The following times are given for the state capitals in each U.S. State. Visit timeanddate.com and enter the name of your nearest town or city for the exact times of the phases for where you are. Wherever you are, the moon will be visible low above the western horizon (except if you’re in Hawaii, where it will be much higher in the sky).
Here’s when the lunar eclipse is visible in each U.S. state, but note that the “best time” is for those that only want a brief glimpse. In case of cloud and buildings near the horizon, the best advice is to get outside much earlier to watch the entire event as much as possible (preferably with binoculars).
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Alabama
A partial lunar eclipse in Montgomery begins at 5:48 a.m., with moonset at 6:40 a.m. The best time to view a partially eclipsed moon in Montgomery is at 6:37 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Alaska
The entirety of this total lunar eclipse is visible from Juneau (and all of Alaska). Totality begins at 3:51 a.m., peaks at 4:29 a.m and ends at 5:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Juneau is at 4:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Arizona
Totality is visible from Phoenix. Totality begins at 5:51 a.m., peaks at 6:29 a.m. and ends at 7:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Phoenix is at 6:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Arkansas
Totality is visible from Little Rock. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 7:09 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Little Rock is at 7:07 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in California
The entirety of this total lunar eclipse is visible from Sacramento. Totality begins at 4:51 a.m., peaks at 5:29 a.m. and ends at 6:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Sacramento is at 5:29 a.m. The times are identical for Los Angeles and San Francisco.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Colorado
Totality is visible from Denver. Totality begins at 5:51 a.m., peaks at 6:29 a.m and ends at 7:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Denver is at 6:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Connecticut
A partial lunar eclipse in Hartford begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:03 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Hartford is at 7:00 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Delaware
A partial lunar eclipse in Dover begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:09 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Dover is at 7:06 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Florida
A partial lunar eclipse in Tallahassee begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:28 a.m. The best time to view a partially eclipsed moon in Tallahassee is at 7:26 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Georgia
A partial lunar eclipse in Atlanta begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:35 a.m. The best time to view a partially eclipsed moon in Atlanta is at 7:31 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Hawaii
The entirety of this total lunar eclipse is visible from Honolulu, which has the very best view of anywhere in the U.S. of this total lunar eclipse. Totality begins at 2:51 a.m., peaks at 3:29 a.m and ends at 4:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Honolulu is at 3:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Idaho
Totality is visible from Boise. Totality begins at 5:51 a.m., peaks at 6:29 a.m and ends at 7:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Boise is at 6:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Illinois
Totality is briefly visible from Springfield. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 7:09 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Springfield is at 6:56 a.m. The times are the same for Chicago, though there the moon will set at 7:05 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Indiana
A very big partial lunar eclipse in Indianapolis begins at 6:48 a.m., with the moon totally eclipsed just a couple minutes before moonset at 7:54 a.m. The best time to view an almost totally eclipsed moon in Indianapolis is at 7:51 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Iowa
Totality is visible from Des Moines. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 7:29 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Des Moines is at 7:25 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Kansas
Totality is visible from Topeka. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 7:32 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Topeka is at 7:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Kentucky
A partial lunar eclipse in Frankfort begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:45 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Frankfort is at 7:43 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Louisiana
Totality is briefly visible from Baton Rouge. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 6:57 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Baton Rouge is at 6:54 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Maine
A partial lunar eclipse in Augusta begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 6:57 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Augusta is at 6:54 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Maryland
A partial lunar eclipse in Annapolis begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:12 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Annapolis is at 7:10 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Massachusetts
A partial lunar eclipse in Boston begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 6:58 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Boston is at 6:54 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Michigan
Totality may be very briefly visible from Lansing as the moon sets. Totality begins at 7:51 a.m., with moonset at 7:54 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Jackson is at 7:51 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Minnesota
Totality is visible from St. Paul. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., peaks at 7:29 a.m., with moonset at 7:36 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in St. Paul is at 7:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Mississippi
Totality is briefly visible from Jackson as the moon sets. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 6:56 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Jackson is at 6:53 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Missouri
Totality is visible from Jefferson City. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m, with moonset at 7:16 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Jefferson City is at 7:14 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Montana
Totality is visible from Helena. Totality begins at 5:51 a.m, peaks at 6:29 a.m. and ends at 7:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Helena is at 6:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Nebraska
Totality is visible from Lincoln. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m. and peaks at 7:29 a.m., with moonset at 7:40 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Lincoln is at 7:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Nevada
The entirety of the total lunar eclipse is visible from Carson City. Totality begins at 4:51 a.m., peaks at 5:29 a.m and ends at 6:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Carson City is at 5:29 a.m. The same times apply for observers in Las Vegas.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in New Hampshire
A partial lunar eclipse in Concord begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:02 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Concord is at 6:59 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in New Jersey
A partial lunar eclipse in Trenton begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:08 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Trenton is at 7:05 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in New Mexico
Totality is visible from Santa Fe. Totality begins at 5:51 a.m., peaks at 6:29 a.m and ends at 7:07 a.m, just a minute before moonset. The best time to view maximum totality in Santa Fe is at 6:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in New York
A partial lunar eclipse in Albany begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:10 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Albany is at 7:06 a.m. In Manhattan, the best time to view is 7:02 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in North Carolina
A partial lunar eclipse in Raleigh begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:23 a.m. The best time to view a partially eclipsed moon in Raleigh is at 7:20 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in North Dakota
Totality is visible from Bismarck. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., peaks at 7:29 a.m and ends at 7:07 a.m, just five minutes before moonset. The best time to view maximum totality in Bismarck is at 7:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Ohio
A partial lunar eclipse in Columbus begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:42 a.m. The best time to view an almost totally eclipsed moon in Columbus is at 7:39 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Oklahoma
Totality is visible from Oklahoma City. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., and peaks at 7:29 a.m just before moonset at 7:32 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Oklahoma City is at 7:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Oregon
The entirety of this total lunar eclipse is visible from Salem. Totality begins at 4:51 a.m, peaks at 5:29 a.m. and ends at 6:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Salem is at 5:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Pennsylvania
A partial lunar eclipse in Harrisburg begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:17 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Harrisburg is at 7:10 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Rhode Island
A partial lunar eclipse in Providence begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 6:58 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Providence is at 6:54 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in South Carolina
A partial lunar eclipse in Charleston begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:14 a.m. The best time to view a partially eclipsed moon in Charleston is at 7:10 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in South Dakota
Totality is visible from Pierre. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., peaks at 7:29 a.m, with moonset at 8:04 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Santa Fe is at 7:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Tennessee
A partial lunar eclipse in Nashville begins at 5:48 a.m., with moonset at 6:49 a.m. The best time to view an almost totally eclipsed moon in Nashville is at 6:46 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Texas
Totality is visible from Austin. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 7:24 a.m. The best time to view a totally eclipsed moon in Austin is at 7:21 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Utah
Totality is visible from Salt Lake City. Totality begins at 5:51 a.m., peaks at 6:29 a.m and ends at 7:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Salt Lake City is at 6:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Vermont
A partial lunar eclipse in Montpelier begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:09 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Montpelier is at 7:06 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Virginia
A partial lunar eclipse in Richmond begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:13 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Richmond is at 7:10 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Washington
The entirety of this total lunar eclipse is visible from Olympia. Totality begins at 4:51 a.m., peaks at 5:29 a.m and ends at 6:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Olympia is at 5:29 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in West Virginia
A partial lunar eclipse in Charleston begins at 6:48 a.m., with moonset at 7:32 a.m. The best time to view a very slightly partially eclipsed moon in Charleston is at 7:30 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Wisconsin
Totality is visible from Madison. Totality begins at 6:51 a.m., with moonset at 7:15 a.m. The best time to view a totally eclipsed moon in Madison is at 7:12 a.m.
What time the lunar eclipse starts in Wyoming
Totality is visible from Cheyenne. Totality begins at 5:51 a.m., peaks at 6:29 a.m and ends at 7:07 a.m. The best time to view maximum totality in Cheyenne is at 6:29 a.m.
