Don't miss the Super Flower Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse

Early risers rejoice! Watch one of the sky’s most spectacular shows happening Wednesday, May 26, when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align, creating a total lunar eclipse. 

This will be the first total lunar eclipse in more than two years. You don't need special glasses or gizmos to view it, unlike a solar eclipse, so feel free to stare directly at the Moon. Binoculars or a telescope will improve the view!

But first, let’s get some clarity, shall we?…

Why is it “super”?

Did you know that the shape of the Moon’s orbit around the Earth isn’t a perfect circle, but an oval? When a full Moon reaches the point closest to Earth on its elliptical orbit, it’s called a supermoon!

Why is it “flower”?

The name is a reference to the flowers that bloom in May.

Why is it “blood”?

The Moon will appear blood red as it aligns with the Sun and Earth and passes fully into Earth’s shadow, or umbra. The Moon’s red hue is caused by red-orange light refracted through Earth’s atmosphere and can appear even redder if there are lots of clouds or dust.

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👀 Skywatchers, where will you be watching from? Tag us in your favorite picture you’ve taken of the beautiful Moon! We’ll be keeping an eye out to share a few in our Instagram Story!

The total lunar eclipse will begin at 4:47am ET (08:47 UTC) and end at 9:50am ET (13:50 UTC), with peak totality — the "blood moon" stage — occurring at 7:16am ET (11:16 UTC).

Credit: NASA