When is first total lunar eclipse of 2022? How Iowans can see 'blood moon'

Grace Altenhofen, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

Iowans may want to stay up late the night of May 15, as a total lunar eclipse will produce a blood moon visible across the state.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the moon travels through the Earth's shadow, blocking all direct sunlight from reaching its surface. Indirect sunlight that still reaches the moon creates an orange-red glow — hence the name "blood moon."

A total lunar eclipse occurs approximately once every two and a half years.

According to an eclipse tracker courtesy of TimeandDate.com, the total lunar eclipse will begin May 15 at 8:32 p.m. and end May 16 at 1:50 a.m.

What time is the blood moon visible in Iowa?

A composite view of a lunar eclipse over the Iowa Capitol early on Oct, 8, 2014.
A composite view of a lunar eclipse over the Iowa Capitol early on Oct, 8, 2014.

The moon is expected to be fully red in the Iowa sky between 10:29 p.m. and 11:53 p.m., with the maximum eclipse — the moon's closest point to the center of Earth's shadow — at 11:11 p.m.

"Weather permitting, the lunar eclipse will be visible in North and South America, as well as Africa (and) Europe," NASA said in news release. "Remember, unlike a solar eclipse, you do not need special glasses to view a lunar eclipse."

What will lunar eclipse viewing conditions be like?

The blood moon is visible behind 801 Grand in downtown Des Moines on Oct. 8, 2014
The blood moon is visible behind 801 Grand in downtown Des Moines on Oct. 8, 2014

AccuWeather is predicting clear conditions for the eclipse period, with only 3% expected cloud cover — ideal, obstruction-free conditions for viewing.

Rural areas with few artificial lights will provide the best viewing, though the blood moon will be visible even in urban areas.

Though no equipment is needed to view the blood moon, astronomy and photography hobbyists may want to bring binoculars, a telescope and a camera to capture the rare event.

TimeandDate.com has an eclipse calculator with more details about viewing the total lunar eclipse near you.

Should you miss this lunar eclipse, there'll be another full eclipse in November.

Grace Altenhofen is a news reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Lunar eclipse to be visible in Iowa: Blood moon time, date, conditions