LETHBRIDGE, AB – If you can manage to stay awake into early Friday morning, you might catch a glimpse of a rare lunar eclipse.
It’s rare in the sense that it will be the longest-lasting partial lunar eclipse in 580 years.
The earth, sun and moon will almost align and about 97% of the full moon will be covered by the earth’s shadow causing it to look red.
Chris Bensen is a PhD candidate in physics and astronomy over at the University of Lethbridge.
He says the most coverage you’ll see is around 2:00 am Friday, but it’ll be worth it to take a peek earlier as well if the weather cooperates.
“Red moons are fairly common, in part because they are a partial lunar eclipse,” says Benson. Typically, you only see those one night (for a very short period), however we will be able to see this one pretty much all night long.”
At nearly three and a half hours long, Friday’s early morning partial lunar eclipse will be the longest one in the 21st century.
It will begin shortly after midnight Alberta time and last until just before 4:00 am.
