Total (lunar) eclipse of the sky – when to catch a glimpse of Tuesday’s blood moon in Brisbane
Brisbane sky-gazers, have your binoculars and telescopes at the ready, as this Tuesday November 8 a rare treat in the form of a total lunar eclipse will light up the night sky. It’s a phenomenon not to be missed, as the next time earth’s beautiful orb will turn into a blood-red astronomical body won’t be until 2025. But no need to fret, as we’ve consulted the lunar experts on the best times to go moon spotting in Brisbane.
For those less educated on the sphere of the night, a blood moon occurs when the sun, earth and moon align in such a way the moon passes into earth’s shadow. In a total lunar eclipse the entire moon falls within the umbra, which is basically the technical word for the darkest part of earth’s shadow. When this happens the moon will turn a reddish hue – just how red depends on the amount of pollution, volcanic dust or cloud cover in the atmosphere. Avid sky-watchers will be hoping for crystal clear skies, which will provide the ultimate celestial experience. Unlike other eclipses, you don’t need special equipment to observe a lunar eclipse, but the space experts at NASA recommend a dark environment away from bright lights for the best viewing.
So when is the best time to cast your eyes to the sky? For Australians the total lunar eclipse will start just after 8:00 pm AEDT and will last for almost three hours. For Brisbane locals the eclipse will start more than an hour after moonrise at around 7:09 pm, when the orb is positioned higher in the sky. You will have until 10:49 pm to witness this stellar event, but be sure not to miss the main event between 8:16 pm and 9:41 pm where heavens body will be in total eclipse (when the moon is at its most radiant red).
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.