How to View the Super Flower Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse in Alabama

Millions of skywatchers will take to the skies tonight; (Sunday, May 15) because there will be a total lunar eclipse that is visible in eastern North America. If the skies are clear enough in Alabama you should be able to view this total lunar eclipse

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Super Flower - Blood Moon - Total Lunar Eclipse

According to Space, “Eclipse scientist Fred Espenak has listed May 15th’s full moon as a so-called supermoon, making this event extra special. The full moon s at its perigee (the closest approach to Earth of the month, in its orbit). So we'll be seeing a slightly larger moon experience the Super Flower Blood Moon eclipse.”

Everyone Can Enjoy Viewing the Total Lunar Eclipse

You don’t have to be an avid stargazer to enjoy the viewing experience of the Total Lunar Eclipse. The main reason is that your viewing doesn’t need special glasses because it is not a solar eclipse. However, to improve your visual experience, binoculars or a telescope will help.

James Spann, ABC 33/40, and Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa Chief Meteorologist said that “during totality between 10:29 and 11:54 p.m. CT, the moon turns a dark orange or red, which is often referred to as a “blood moon.” As sunlight passes through our atmosphere, the green, blue, and violet portion of the light spectrum is filtered out while yellow, orange, and especially red bend around the earth and onto the moon’s surface giving it the reddish color.”

Pro-Tips

For this Total Lunar Eclipse, if we have a clear sky in Alabama, just step outside and look up to the sky. If you live in a spot with lots of light, you might want to consider the backyard or venturing to a nearby park.

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A great tip that is useful for ease of viewing is to be sure to have a portable chair where you can recline your head or a chair that actually reclines. This helps you just be able to enjoy the eclipse. If at a remote location be sure to have a few snacks, charge up your phone, and be mindful of your surroundings.

If the weather doesn’t cooperate tonight, there will be various live streams.

Live Streams of the Total Lunar Eclipse

NASA will offer its streams at NASA.gov/live

Click here for the live stream from Time and Date.

The public observatory in Vestal, New York, the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center will offer a live stream, click here for details.

Click here for the live stream from the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona

Tips to View the Total Lunar Eclipse in Person from EarthSky

When

Be sure to know the “day and time” for your area.

Consider a dark sky

“If possible, the ideal location would have a wide-open view of the sky, unobscured by trees or tall buildings. Additionally, city parks or state parks are often good places to watch the skies.”

Know the stages of a total lunar eclipse

Click here for the full details on each of the stages from Earth Sky.

Can you see a selenelion?

“Here’s one more thing you might want to watch for. It’s rare to get to see it from anyone's location on the globe, but very cool if you’re in the right spot to catch it. If you’re in just the right spot on Earth, you might observe the eclipsed moon setting while the sun rises – or the eclipsed moon rising while the sun sets.”

NASA’s Timeline and What to Expect

8:32 p.m. CDT

The edge of the Moon will begin entering the penumbra. You'll likely only notice dim shading (if anything at all).

9:28 p.m. CDT

The edge of the Moon will begin entering the umbra and significant darkening will be noticeable. West Coast viewers, keep your eyes on the eastern horizon for the Moon to rise sometime between 7:20 and 8:40 PDT, depending on your location.

10:29 p.m. CDT

The Moon will be completely inside the umbra, marking the beginning of the total lunar eclipse, also known as totality. Viewers in the most western parts of the continental U.S. will see the Moon rise as totality is beginning.

11:12 p.m. CDT

The Moon will be halfway through its path across the umbra, marking the moment of greatest eclipse, when the moon turns reddish-orange.

11:54 p.m. CDT

The edge of the Moon will begin exiting the umbra and moving into the opposite side of the penumbra.

12:55 a.m. CDT

The Moon will be completely outside of the umbra and will begin exiting the penumbra until the eclipse officially ends.

(Source) Click here to follow the Facebook page of James Spann. Click here for more specifics from Space. Click here for more specifics from EarthSky. Click here for information from NASA.

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Filed Under: Total Lunar Eclipse