Stargazers have the last chance in the next three years to catch a total lunar eclipse next week. According to NASA, the total eclipse will take place Tuesday, November 7th. The next total eclipse won’t happen until March 14th, 2025. Partial and Penumbral lunar eclipses will occur during that time.
The space agency says lunar eclipses take place when the sun, the earth, and the moon align so the moon passes into the earth’s shadow. When the whole moon falls within the darkest part of the planet’s umbra, or shadow, the result is a total eclipse. While in the umbra, the moon will take on a reddish hue, which is where the term “blood moon” comes from. No special equipment is needed to observe the eclipse, but NASA says binoculars or a telescope may enhance the view and the red color. NASA said the best viewing conditions would be made with a dark environment away from bright lights.
