How Kentuckians can watch an eclipse this weekend from their own backyards
Many Kentuckians will be able to view a rare total lunar eclipse of a "Super Flower Blood Moon" on Sunday night from the comfort of their own backyards.
A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the sun and moon, blocking the moon from the sun's light. And this weekend's full moon will be bathed in a rusty bronze light as the Earth's shadow takes a bite out of it and then obscures it.
Some people even call this a "Blood moon" because of the color, and at different points during the eclipse, it may appear gray, pink or orange. This month's moon is also called a "Super flower moon" – the 'flower" part coming from there being abundant blooms in May, and the "super" part indicating the moon will appear up to 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter because the moon will be closer to the planet.
It should make for quite the spectacle.
"At least half of the U.S. from the Atlantic Coast to Texas can see some phase of the eclipse," said Dr. Lutz Haberzettl, an astronomer at the University of Louisville, who added that the commonwealth is well-poised to see the entire eclipse.
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In fact, many Kentuckians should be able to see the eclipse outside their homes, Haberzettl said. Even if you're in Louisville, where it's difficult to get dark skies, you will be able to see it, he added.
Sky gazers should look for a relatively unobstructed view toward the south if they want a good view of the eclipse. Haberzettl suggests finding places where buildings aren't too high.
Pull up a chair, though. The total event will last more than three hours, and the best part – when it is closest to totality – will last about 90 minutes.
The moon doesn't completely disappear during an eclipse, Haberzettl said. The blue light will get bent out of the atmosphere during the eclipse, and the light that does make it to the moon will make it appear reddish, Haberzettl said.
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When can I see the eclipse?
10:27 p.m. - A partial eclipse begins to block the sun. Look for a dent in the bottom left of the moon, where you can see the first bit of the Earth's shadow on the moon.
10:59 p.m. - The moon will move into a 50% eclipse, appearing fainter than normal, according to Haberzettl.
11:29 p.m. -The eclipse moves closer to totality, when the Earth is completely blocking the sun from illuminating the moon. The moon will appear reddish orange for the first time since 2021.
12:11 a.m. - The eclipse reaches totality.
12:54 a.m. - The moon begins to move out of the Earth's shadow.
1:23 a.m. - The moon will be in a partial shadow, but should start to appear more like normal.
1:55 a.m. - The total eclipse ends, and the moon should appear normal.
Since a total lunar eclipse is such a rare event, and the next one isn't until November 2022, Haberzettl encourages Kentuckians to stay up for it.
"It's an amazing thing to observe and fascinating how the moon changes shades. Just have fun with it," he said.
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Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Total lunar eclipse will obscure 'Super Flower Blood Moon' in Kentucky
