blood moon courtesy of nasa
The total lunar eclipse with a few more novelties will start tonight, May 15 at 10:27 p.m., according to Mike Narlock, head of Astronomy at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Narlock says the progression to the total lunar eclipse will take a while. The totality portion of the lunar eclipse starts at 11:29 p.m. Sunday and lasts until 12:53 a.m. Monday, May 16.
You’ll have to stay up late on a Sunday night to see the eclipse, but it may be worth it.
There are a few things going on with this full moon. First, this month’s full moon is called the Flower Moon. It’s easy to understand why this moon has that name, with our spring bulbs blooming now.
The full moon is also a super moon. This occurs when the position of the moon is at its closest point to Earth. The orbit of the moon around Earth isn’t a perfect circle, it’s orbit more egg-shaped than circular. On May 15, the moon will be in the spot of its orbit where it is closest to Earth.
So the total eclipse is a Flower Moon and a super moon. But wait – there’s more. It is also a blood moon. The phrase “blood moon” really isn’t a true astronomical term. All lunar eclipses turn some amount of red. During a total lunar eclipse, Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon. The Earth’s shadow is cast upon the moon. During a total lunar eclipse, blue light is filtered out of the light hitting the moon. Red light can still make it through and be cast upon the moon. So the moon should look at least somewhat red. If there is a lot of dust or water vapor in our sky at the time of the eclipse, the moon would be a darker red.
—
“there is something haunting in the light of the moon;
it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul,
and something of its inconceivable mystery.”
-joseph conrad
—
credits: mike narlock, cranbrook institute of science, mark torregrossa, mlive, nasa
The moonlight was so bright here last night, our garden looked like it was still daylight at 10:15 pm.
Best wishes, Pete.
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wow, amazing. something special about it for sure –
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This is interesting.
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it is –
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I think our weather is planning on making viewing impossible where I am at, but your informative post is still very much enjoyed. Don’t stay up too late!
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I love how there are so many rare events colliding at same time, I will try to stay up for it, but the odds are slim in my case )
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I can’t imagine I’ll be awake for this event, unless it coincides with one of my natural wakeups or needs to find the bathroom. But at least, if I do actually happen to see it, I’ll know so much more about it that means I’ll be far more interested! Thanks for some awesome information!
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same here, but I wish I could be awake for it. lots to chew on here, and a rare instance of lots of unusual things going on at once all in one place –
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Unfortunately, it won’t be visible in our part of the world
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I know that it depends where you are, absolutely
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Yep, it’ll be Day time here.
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So many things going on in the world. Hard to choose what to watch.
The moon would be a good place to focus on ….. instead of earthly doings. 😦
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I so agree
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The moon did look pretty big last night!
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Huge
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I think I’ll be a little sleepy at work tomorrow morning, Beth …
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Worth it)
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It’s cloudy and raining here tonight .. no moon-light in sight 🌚
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The moon can be a tease
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I think he enjoys teasing us , he’s always smiling 😊
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At night is not visible in Malaysia as it’s day time here 🌕😊 16-5-22
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Ah, it’s all in the timing
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Hoping for clear skies. The forecast is iffy.
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Same here
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You’re right…that’s a lot of stuff all at once. A lot going on. All beautiful.
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An abundance of riches
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In which time zone ever in the US it will happen… I will miss it over here since it may be anytime in the very early morning. But I hope you can see the lunar eclipse tonight.
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Pretty late so I fear I’ll miss it
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I learned the full eclipse over here lasted from about 5.30 am to 5.45 am. It was already too light and also basically cloudy. So, I missed it too.
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We tried)
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😄
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I took a few photos yesterday evening and last night because they are calling for rain today 😦
It’s already begun and I fear the eclipse shall be eclipsed!
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Hopefully not!
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Fingers crossed.
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I fully agree with Mr. Conrad…
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❤️
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Wow
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Yes-
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There are downsides to all those trees I planted many years ago …
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The view –
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I want to talk to Conrad about that. To me the full moon is like a secret invitation to a night hike in the chaparral, its dangers and its beauty, a light so bright you could read by it but never would. A coyote yipping nearby and owls silent in a sycamore tree, knowing the coyote is close enough to pose a threat. The long shadows of my dog and me stretch across a trail, and mist from the ocean reaches into the valley. No, nothing haunting, dispassionate or disembodied about that, Joe.
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So well said
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Joe and I have never gotten along, not since I had to attend a Heart of Darkness Seminar when I was in high school.
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Ah!
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Though as Apocalypse Now? Wow… What a story.
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yes –
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Great information!
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❤
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Stay up? Set an alarm? Sleep through it????? So many options!
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all options are on the table -)
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I still haven’t decided….
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Wonderful. My oldest son is so excited to see the moon tonight. Not sure I’ll be awake…we shall see…
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I didn’t make it )
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Awww shucks… raining here tonight, but I’ve stayed up a time or two to try to catch eclipses. They are a challenge to capture, but fun to try! 🤗
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ever elusive –
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Igual estar siempre en la luna no es una mala opcion. jajajjaj
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yes )
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The moon has many faces. Great shot.
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Courtesy of nasa, not too shabby
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I didn’t get to see it in person, but the photos have been amazing! I’m happy enough to enjoy those. 🙂
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Same
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My husband caught a glimpse but when he came to fetch me, clouds covered it. 😦 I didn’t get to see. Oh well. Did you see it?
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It was stormy and cloudy and I was drifting off , so no –
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I find this fascinating.
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I really do too-
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😀
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