(1-minute read) SOMETHING BESIDES YOUR I-PHONE WILL GLOW IN THE DARK
Sunday will provide many Alaskans with a peek at a total lunar eclipse. That’s when the shadow of the earth will pass over the full moon, as the earth passes between the sun and the moon.
In Alaska, the eclipse will begin at 5:36 pm, but will not be noticeable at first. The total eclipse will start at approximately 7:41 pm with total darkness at 8:12 pm; the eclipse will end by 8:43. The entire event lasts five hours and 11 minutes. Telescopes and binoculars are helpful in seeing it and allow you to see the changes in the moon’s color as the earth shadow moves across it.
Anchorage weather may get in the way of moon-gazers, although the forecast is for mostly clear weather with a low of 3 degrees. People in Wasilla and north have a better chance of seeing the phenomenon. Being away from ambient lights, and street lights, will help.
Watch this animation of how the eclipse will look from the Fairbanks vantage.
During totality, the full moon will not disappear, but will turn a rusty red color. This lunar eclipse coincides with what is sometimes called the “wolf moon,” which is a name for the January full moon.
