Sunday night, a total lunar eclipse will rendezvous with a super full moon to conceive a "blood moon." The tryst will be viewed by millions of people around the world. Arizona residents can rejoice as North America is perfectly situated for the eclipse giving its inhabitants front row seats.
Total eclipses of super full moons are extremely rare, and the next one won't happen for another 18 years, according to timeanddate.com.
Arizona residents should be able to see the moon rise in the Earth's shadow at 6:07 p.m. MST. The moon will be totally covered at 7:11 p.m. with the total eclipse lasting until 8:23 p.m. The eclipse can be seen with the naked eye. There will be no need for eye protection.
To make sure you can get the best views of the moon, here's several steps to take, according to an article from The Arizona Republic.
- Stay away from city lights. The full eclipse will dim the moon making it easier to see stars.
- For the best photos, use a camera with a zoom lens and a tripod.
- Although no special equipment is needed to view the eclipse, a telescope will aid in seeing the moon's surface in greater detail.
- If you want to watch it in a group, the Phoenix Astronomical Society will be hosting a free viewing party from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m at Coyote Basin Park.
Correction: Due to a reporting error, information from a source was not attributed. This article has been updated with the correct information.
