Blood moon tonight for Far North Queensland

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A total lunar eclipse will begin around sunset on Tuesday, and if the skies stay clear, will be visible across our region.

This type of eclipse is known as a blood moon because of the red colour it takes on as it passes through the shadow of the Earth.

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) says this is the last total lunar eclipse until 2025, but there will be partial eclipses before then.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon align so that the Moon passes into Earth’s shadow.

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NASA said in a total lunar eclipse, the entire Moon falls within the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra. When the Moon is within the umbra, it will turn a reddish hue.

The eclipse will last for almost three hours and be visible in Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, and parts of Asia.

Unlike solar eclipses, it is safe to watch an eclipse of the moon. You don’t need any equipment to see it, but binoculars  or a telescope will enhance the experience.

In Far North Queensland, the eclipse will be visible in the eastern sky as the moon rises at 6.14pm.

It will reach totality at 8:59pm, lasting until 9:41, when it reverts to a partial eclipse until a few minutes before midnight.

There’s a reasonable chance of clear skies for the eclipse, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting mostly fine but partly cloudy conditions for FNQ.

You can watch the eclipse online if the weather isn’t favourable at your place. NASA will livestream the event, with expert commentary and telescope contributors from around the world.