Lunar Eclipse Will Turn the Moon Blood Red Overnight

(KNSI) – All eyes will be on the sky overnight for a rare full lunar eclipse.

St. Cloud State University Professor Rachel Humphrey talks about what to expect. “For a lunar eclipse, we’re seeing the shadow of the Earth being cast on the lunar surface. And so what we actually see is we see it turn this kind of ruddy, rusty color…reddish color.”

The Earth is significantly bigger than the moon, which makes a lunar eclipse easier to view than when things are reversed for a solar eclipse. All of North America will be in the path of totality and it will last for 65 minutes. Brew a pot of coffee, though. Totality is scheduled between 1:26 and 2:31 a.m. central time. The eclipse will last for about six hours in total from beginning to end.

The St. Cloud State Planetarium is hoping to capitalize on the nighttime show with some special programming. Humphrey reveals all the details about an upcoming public event tomorrow night in the wake of the eclipse. “On the evening of the 14th of March, from 5:00 until 7:30 p.m., we’re going to be featuring the movie “Back to the Moon for Good” and [a] tour of the current night sky.”

There is no cost for the event, but a $5 donation is suggested, and spots are limited. To register, email planetarium@stcloudstate.edu.

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