Don’t Miss The Spectacular Flower Moon Eclipse
This celestial phenomenon will be visible from Los Angeles!
Sophie Len - Staff Writer
Astronomy lovers will absolutely be over the moon this May. This month’s “Flower Moon” will enter the Earth’s shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse on the evening of May 15th.
Despite the “total” lunar eclipse name, NASA states the moon won’t become completely dark. In fact, it will glow with an incredible orange or red tone. This is a result of sunlight being bent through the Earth’s atmosphere. The color is very similar to that of a sunrise or sunset. This phenomenon is often referred to as a ‘Blood Moon’ and can be seen around the globe.
Why It’s Called A Flower Moon:
According to Space.com, the nickname comes from the Algonquin-speaking peoples in North America, such as the Ojibwe. They called the May moon “Waawaaskone Giizis,” which translates to “Flower Moon.” They chose this name in honor of the spring weather that brings in lush flower blooms across the continent.
Credit: Claudio Testa/ Unsplash
How To Catch It:
If the weather permits it, on May 15th, this awe-inspiring lunar eclipse can be watched from anywhere in the U.S. You won’t need a telescope to witness it either. All you have to do is grab your loved ones, go outside and look southeast to enjoy the stellar show.
- Partial eclipse begins at 7:27 P.M. PST (10:27 P.M. EST.)
- Total eclipse begins at 8:28 P.M. PST (11:28 P.M EST.)
- The eclipse reaches its peak at 9:11 P.M. PST (12:11 A.M. PST on May 16.) This is the ideal time to catch the total lunar eclipse!
In the event that you cannot step outside to witness this celestial event, Time And Date will be live streaming it for all to watch. For those who may miss out on it completely, don’t fret. The Griffith Observatory will put up a time-lapse of the “Flower Moon” eclipse on their YouTube channel on May 16.