On Sunday May 15 and into Monday, 16, 2022 there’s going to be a big total lunar eclipse—a “Blood Moon”—visible across North America for a jaw-dropping 84 minutes.

All you need are clear skies and wide eyes.

The appearance of the Moon during the May 2022 total lunar eclipse. Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio

On the night of May 15, 2022, and into the early hours of May 16, skywatchers will be treated to a spectacular phenomenon that takes place every 1.5 years or so: a total lunar eclipse.

Total lunar eclipses occur when the Moon and Sun are on opposite sides of Earth and the planet casts a complete shadow, or umbra, over its sole natural satellite. There may be multiple partial lunar eclipses each year, but total eclipses are a bit rarer. Best of all, unlike the precautions one must take to safely observe a total solar eclipse, it’s completely safe to watch a lunar eclipse unfold with the unaided eye. Even so, binoculars or a powerful telescope definitely can greatly enhance the experience.

I was able to take the information from the internet, I’m obviously not working at NASA!

Laura Goguet

Community Manager