ATLANTA — The second total lunar eclipse of 2022 takes place pre-dawn Tuesday morning, and it will be our last chance to see a total lunar eclipse until March 14, 2025. There will be a handful of partial lunar eclipses between now and 2025.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
A total lunar eclipse happens when the sun, earth, and moon align. Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon. This casts the earth's shadow onto the moon's surface and makes the moon appear red.
Total lunar eclipses are referred to as "blood moon" because of the red hue on the moon when it's fully eclipsed.
Timing
The total eclipse begins at 5:16 a.m. EST on the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 8. Maximum eclipse, when the moon is the deepest shade of red, will be at 5:59 a.m. EST.
Totality lasts only an hour and a half. The total eclipse ends at 6:41 a.m. EST shortly before the moon sets at 7:10 a.m. EST.
Because the eclipse will be occurring so close to moonset, best viewing will likely be closer to the beginning or peak of total eclipse. By the end of total eclipse at 6:41 a.m., the sky may not be completely dark.
How to see it
Unlike a solar eclipse, lunar eclipses are visible to the naked eye. A telescope or binoculars would enhance the show.
Look to the west: the eclipse will be occurring close to moonset, so the moon will be close to the horizon. This could make for trickier viewing because of trees.
For the best view, seek out a dark location with minimal light pollution.
Atlanta's forecast
Viewing across North Georgia won't be optimal, but the forecast still gives plenty of opportunity! Clouds will be clearing, and mostly-clear to partly-cloudy conditions are expected.
Patchy fog could inhibit viewing in locations where it develops. Fog is most likely close to sunrise.
Temperatures will be comfortable enough to go out with only a light sweater or even no jacket at all. We'll sit in the low to mid 60s.
If the weather (or the trees) get in the way of your view, there are a number of ways to view the eclipse online. The Lowell Observatory will be doing a live stream.