Let's Get Lunar!

We get to experience the first SUPERMOON and total lunar eclipse of 2019 January 20-21. This is known as the Wolf Moon (isn't that a fun fact?!)

According to NASA, a supermoon is exactly what it sounds like -- a moon that appears brighter and larger to the human eye because it is at perigree (the closest point to the Earth in its orbit.)

Another fun fact -- This full moon causes high tides globally.  GLOBALLY?  Amazing how it seems so far away but affects everyone on earth.

A lunar eclipse doesn't black out the moon; it actually creates what's sometimes called a Blood Moon.  The Earth's shadow is completely blocking the sun, but light still makes its way through creating a red cast on the moon's surface.

Do you have a budding astronomer who would like to make a Moon Phase Calendar?  Check out this fun project HERE

The Earth's shadow has three sections -- the Umbra (it's darkest central shadow), the Penumbra (the lighter exterior shadow) and the Antumbra (the space between).

The Penumbral eclipse begins first, eventually increasing in shadow density, then turning into a Penumbral eclipse again as the moon moves through its orbit. The whole thing takes over FIVE HOURS!  Oh my gosh, right?  Call me a chiropractor!

You won't need a telescope to see this one either so long as we have no freak weather systems blowing through and the skies are clear. The Penumbral eclipse begins at 8:30 pm. The total eclipse begins at 10:40 pm and is at its maximum eclipse status at 11:00 pm... and for our crazy party animals who are up reallllllllllly late, it is over at 1:48 am... well past my bedtime.