Mark your calendars and set your alarms for this awe-inspiring celestial event.
There’s a chance to witness a captivating total lunar eclipse early Friday.
The event occurs when the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, according to Gary Boyle, also known as The Backyard Astronomer.
“During the eclipse, you’ll see the moon take on a beautiful copper hue as it moves through Earth’s shadow,” Boyle said.
Boyle explained that the best time to view the eclipse is from 2:09 a.m. to 5:47 a.m. ET, with the full eclipse peaking around 4 a.m.
“It’s a rare and safe-to-view phenomenon, perfect for snapping some amazing photos,” he said.
Boyle also described what the eclipse would look like if you were on the lunar surface during the event.
“Imagine standing on the moon, looking back at Earth with a ring of orange around it,” he said.
“You’d be seeing every sunset on the left-hand side of the Earth and every sunset rise on the right-hand side at the exact same time.”
The Backyard Astronomer also said using astronomy apps can enhance your stargazing experience.
He explained the apps can help identify celestial objects and provide valuable information about the night sky.
In addition to the lunar eclipse, a remarkable planetary alignment was visible on Saturday.
Boyle said just after sunset, skygazers could have seen a lineup of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
