How The Quad Cities Can See Longest Lunar Eclipse In 580 Years

Something spectacular is going to happen in the night sky this Friday morning that hasn't happened in a long time, and that won't happen again for quite a while. The longest lunar eclipse in over 500 years will be visible this Friday morning and with it a very beautiful blood moon.

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If the moon looks a little different in the early hours of Friday morning, November 19, that's because you're watching a lunar eclipse. According to NASA and Meteorologist Nick Stewart from CBS2, the longest lunar eclipse in 580 years is happening this Friday morning.

Thursday night into Friday morning, the Earth's shadow will begin to cover most of our Moon causing the lunar eclipse. This will not be a total lunar eclipse as only 97% of the Moon will be eclipsed by the Earth's shadow. Friday morning's lunar eclipse will be the longest-lasting lunar eclipse since the year 1440. Yes, Friday morning's lunar eclipse will be historic!

Meteorologist Nick Stewart from CBS2 says that the eclipse will begin at 1:18 a.m. CT. At that time, the Beaver Moon (full moon), will enter the Earth's shadow. From 1:18 a.m. and 3:02 a.m. CT, the Moon will begin to dim and turn a shade of red. According to NASA, because the Earth has an atmosphere, the full shadow of the Earth is not black but instead a reddish-brown color.

"If you were on the Moon in this shadow and looking back at the Earth, you would see all of the Earth's sunrises and sunsets falling on you and the surface around you, giving the Moon a reddish-brown color."

The Moon will be at the max eclipse at 3:02 a.m. CT. At that time, the Moon will be more than 97% covered. A small sliver of the Moon will be brighter than the rest of the Moon because it will be shining in the penumbra, outside of the umbra, or full shadow of the Earth.

The weather for the lunar eclipse Friday morning should be perfect in the Quad Cities. This is the weather forecast for Thursday night and Friday, according to the National Weather Service of the Quad Cities:

Thursday Night
- Mostly clear, with a low around 23. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Friday
- Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

According to Meteorologist Nick Stewart from CBS2, that this will be the longest lunar eclipse until February 8, 2669. Only 647 years until the next one.

Friday's lunar eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Times listed above are in CT, so if you're reading this in a different U.S. time zone, make your adjustments.

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