San Antonio skywatchers will have a spectacular view of a partial lunar eclipse visible to the naked eye late Thursday night through early Friday morning.
This lunar eclipse will be the longest partial lunar eclipse we've seen in almost 600 years.
However, you will need to wake up early, as peak time (maximum eclipse) is around 3:02 a.m. on Friday morning.
Here's what you need to know
What is a lunar eclipse?
The event occurs when the sun, Earth and moon almost perfectly line up. At this point the Earth casts a shadow on the moon. Over time, there will be a partial outer shadow, known as the penumbra, then a full shadow known as the umbra. The full shadow is the best time to step outside and look at the sky. This will occur at around 3:02 a.m. Friday morning.
If you can't make it up that early the partial eclipse is still exciting to watch. That's expected to be visible around 4:47 a.m. Friday.
What does the lunar eclipse look like?
As the lunar eclipse goes through the phases of penumbra to umbra the brightest part of the moon will become almost crescent shape. This is the beginning of the Earth casting a shadow on the moon.
The color of this shadow sometimes appears reddish or orange. This will be the darkest shadow on the moon.
Remember, this event is still a partial lunar eclipse so there will still be a sliver of the moon showing.
Will sky conditions be favorable?
Clear skies are ideal for viewing the partial lunar eclipse, and San Antonio should see clouds start to clear for prime viewing time around 3 a.m. Friday.
Do I need a telescope to see the partial lunar eclipse?
No, this event will be viewable with the naked eye. Unless there are cloudy conditions, you will not need a telescope or binoculars to view the partial lunar eclipse.
