Lunar Eclipse Saturday Morning

A total lunar eclipse will be visible across portions of the United States on Saturday morning. Although the best viewing will occur along the west coast and Alaska, we'll be able to see part of the event here in the Stateline. Roughly the upper-left quarter of the moon will start to become somewhat darker -- or reddish -- at about 6:45am. The moon will set at about 7:14am; and will be hidden from our view when the total lunar eclipse occurs over the western U.S.

What will be unusual about this lunar eclipse is that it will be happening at sunrise. So we'll have a moment where both the rising sun and the setting moon will be visible on opposite horizons. This can happen because of an optical phenomena called atmospheric refraction. When light enters the earth's atmosphere, it bends slightly (or refracts). This makes objects to appear higher in the sky than they actually are.

If you do plan on watching the event, make sure you have a good view of the west/northwest horizon and that you bundle-up out there! Temperatures will be in the single digits and teens across the area on Saturday morning. The good news is visibility should be good that morning with mostly clear skies expected.