Editor’s note: Super Flower Blood Moon’s total lunar eclipse phase is complete. You can read our article on the first total lunar eclipse of 2022.
The first total lunar eclipse of 2022 has arrived, with the Super Flower Blood Moon set to delight skywatchers through Earth’s night.
This eclipse tonight and early Monday (May 15-16) takes place during the so-called Flower Moon, the May full moon, named because it coincides with the spring bloom season in America. It is also a super moon tonight, making it the Super Flowering Blood Moon May 2022.
On the US East Coast, the show started at 9:32 p.m. Sunday (May 15; 01:32 GMT May 16), as the moon has entered the penumbra, the lightest part of Earth’s shadow, which occurs when the Earth only partially obstructs the sun.
Related: How to Watch Super Flower Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse Online
In an hour, the entire moon will be covered in penumbra and the so-called partial eclipse will begin, according to Time and date. The moon will then gradually move into umbra, Earth’s darkest shadow with no view of the sun.
As the moon passes through the shadow, skywatchers will be able to see our planet’s round shadow devouring a growing slice of the full moon. At 11:29 p.m. EDT, about one hour after the start of the partial eclipse and two hours after the start of the penumbral phase, the moon will be completely covered by the planet’s dark shadow. However, it will not disappear from the sky at that time. Instead, it will turn red, an effect caused by light scattered by earth’s atmospherewho inspires the Moon of blood nickname given to a fully eclipsed moon.
oh it’s happening! #LunarEclipse pic.twitter.com/P1pW4mPl4yMay 16, 2022
Lunar Eclipse 2022. #Clouds came and ruined my photo. 05/15/2022 #lunareclipse2022 #lunareclipse #moon @News12BX @ABC7NY @NY1weather @News12Weather @StormHourMedia @Storyful @NBCNewYork @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/IiVg5ho3hRMay 16, 2022
I love this #LunarEclipse 🤗✨ pic.twitter.com/QL97GSLtxmMay 16, 2022
It will take almost an hour and a half for the moon to make its way through the shadows. It will reach the deepest middle part of the shadow at 12:11 a.m. EDT Monday, May 16. The total eclipse will end at 12:53 p.m. EDT, after which Earth’s round shadow will slowly recede, revealing a waxing slice of the moon only slightly shadowed by penumbra. The moon will leave the umbra entirely at 1:55 a.m. EDT; the next penumbral eclipse will last another hour.
Observers from other time zones have to adapt to jet lag. The entire Flower Moon eclipse is observable from all of South and Central America, and from the eastern part of North America. The western part of the United States will still see the total eclipse but will miss parts of the less spectacular penumbral eclipse, according to Time and Date.
The westernmost parts of Africa will see the total eclipse, while most of Europe, with the exception of Spain, will only experience the partial eclipse.
The next total lunar eclipse, on November 8, 2022, will peak over the Pacific Ocean, favoring skywatchers in the western United States, East Asia and Australia.
There will also be a partial solar eclipse on October 25, visible from Europe, the Middle East, northeast Africa, and western Asia.
If you plan to observe or photograph the lunar eclipse, you may find some helpful tips in our guide. And you can also share your best shots with us.
Editor’s note: If you take a great lunar eclipse photo and want to share it with Space.com readers, send your photo(s), comments, and name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
Follow Tereza Pultarova on Twitter @TerezaPultarova. follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
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