How Vermonters can see the total lunar eclipse that will turn the moon red on Election Day
In days of old, the blood red moon was an omen of ill portent. This year, the phenomenon coincides with Election Day.
Whether superstitious or not, Vermont voters hitting the polls early may get a glimpse of the total lunar eclipse, occurring in the hours just before dawn on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
The sun and moon will be on opposite sides of the planet, causing Earth's shadow to fall upon the moon. At the same time the shorter wavelength bluish colors of the visible spectrum will be blocked allowing the longer wavelength and shorter frequency red light to dominate, which is why the moon will appear red.
Visual explainer:How to watch the total lunar eclipse on Nov. 8
In the eastern part of the U.S., the moon will move into earth's outer shadow, called the penumbra, around 3:02 a.m, according to NASA. At that point the moon will start to dim. Around 4:09 a.m. the moon will enter the umbra and will appear to have a "bite" taken out of it. The lunar eclipse will reach totality − when it is completely covered by Earth's shadow − between 5:17 and 6:42 a.m. Eastern standard time.
However, sunrise in Burlington occurs at 6:39 a.m., so viewing opportunities will end there. On the West Coast, the phenomenon will continue to be observed until the moon moves out of the Earth's shadow at 5:50 a.m. Pacific standard time.
Mostly clear skies are expected for the Burlington area on Tuesday during the overnight and early morning, according to the National Weather Service Burlington office, though it could be breezy and much cooler than recent days, with temperatures around 36 degrees at 6 a.m.
The total lunar eclipse can be viewed with the naked eye or with binoculars or a telescope. Vermonters should be sure to be bundled up for the cold. In case of cloudy skies, you can view NASA's livestream of the eclipse at https://moon.nasa.gov/news/186/live-stream-the-november-8-lunar-eclipse/.
This will be the second total lunar eclipse this year, following one from May 15. However, there will not be another total lunar eclipse again until March 14, 2025.
More lunar eclipse:Visual explainer: How to watch the total lunar eclipse on Nov. 8
Contact reporter April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.
This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Total lunar eclipse in Vermont: Weather, when to see the moon turn red
