Australian sky watchers will have the rare surprise of seeing a total lunar eclipse this week, during which the moon turns blood red.
Avid watchers armed with binoculars, or a telescope for a better viewing experience, should prepare for Tuesday to enjoy the spectacle, which won’t be seen for another three years.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: A rare blood moon visible across Australia on Tuesday night.
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Australian National University (ANU) astrophysicist Brad Tucker described the display as a “special treat”.
“It’s when the moon goes into the Earth’s shadow, the Earth casts a big shadow in space and what you’ll see if the moon goes through it and it gets dark… and when it goes into the center of that shadow, it turns around. that red, orange and pink,” he told Sunrise.
“It’s like watching a sunrise and sunset lighting up the surface of the moon, so it’s a special treat.”
Tucker added that we shouldn’t expect to see another eclipse for several years.
“You have periods where we have them every six months … but this is the last in the series,” he said.
“They’ve been visible in Australia since 2021, and then we’ll have to wait until the next set, which doesn’t start until 2025, so every two years you’ll have one.
“But you definitely don’t want to miss it. What’s weird about this one is that it’s people-friendly at a convenient time after the sun goes down.”
Australians won’t need any special equipment or protective gear, Tucker says, but those with a telescope could use it to get a better view.
“You can watch it in the city, for sure, and all in the comfort of your own home,” he said.
The blood moon phenomenon will not be seen in Australia for another three years. Credit: AAP
According to NASA, the more dust or clouds there are in Earth’s atmosphere during a total lunar eclipse, the redder the moon will appear.
The blood moon will last for almost three hours and will be visible in New Zealand, America and parts of Asia.
See times for best viewing below, listed in local time zones. All times are in Date and Time.
New South Wales
Sydney/Newcastle/Central Coast/Wollongong
- It starts at 20.09 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse (when the moon slides through the Earth’s outer shadow) at 21.59.
Coffs Harbour/Port Macquarie
- It starts at 20.09 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 21.59.
i doubt
- It starts at 19.27 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 21.59.
Bourke
- It starts at 7.34pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 9.59pm.
Albury/Wagga Wagga
- It starts at 7.37pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 9.59pm.
Victory
Melbourne/Geelong
- It starts at 7.53pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 9.59pm.
Bendigo/Ballarat/Shepparton/Mildura
- It starts at 7.57pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 9.59pm.
Off the wall
- It starts at 19.41 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 21.59.
Queensland
Brisbane
- It starts at 18.01 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 20.59.
Golden Coast
- It starts at 18:00 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 20:59.
Costa del Sol
- It starts at 17.59 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 20.59.
Toowoomba
- It starts at 18.05 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 20.59.
Rockhampton/Mackay/Bundaberg
- It starts at 18.05 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 20.59.
Cairns/Townsville
- It starts at 18.14 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 20.59.
ACT
Canberra
- It starts at 7.30pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 9.59pm.
tasmania
Hobart/Launceston
- It starts at 19.54 on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 21.59.
South Australia
Adelaide/Mt Gambier
- It starts at 7.43pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 9.29pm.
Western Australia
Perth/Kalgoorlie/Broome
- It starts at 6.43pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 6.59pm.
Northern Territory
Darwin/Alice Springs
- It starts at 6.42pm on Tuesday 8 November with the maximum penumbral eclipse at 8.29pm.
If your city is not listed above, search for the closest location and the maximum penumbral eclipse time will be valid.
– With AAP
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