How to View a Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, earth and moon are aligned such that the earth partially or totally blocks the sun's rays from reaching the moon, casting it in shadow.

Things You'll Need

• Warm Clothes
• Blankets
• Cameras With 300 Mm Lens
• Telescope Tripods
• Telescopes
• Binoculars
• Sleeping Bags
• Flashlights

Instructions

1. Consult an astronomy field guide, hot line or Web site, or check with local weather forecasts for the date and time of an upcoming lunar eclipse. On average, lunar eclipses occur at least twice a year, but the majority are not total eclipses, nor are they visible everywhere.

2. Drive to the darkest place possible on the appointed night, as far away from streetlights and city lights as possible. Although the moon is widely visible, you'll enhance your view by eliminating any extra light.

3. Place a blanket on the ground.

4. Lie on your back and look up at the moon; binoculars will magnify your view but are not necessary.

5. Observe the umbra, or darker part of the earth's shadow, as it slowly starts to cover an edge of the moon.

6. Watch the shadow gradually cover more and more of the moon.

7. Expect the disk of the moon to be dark and reddish when the eclipse is complete. For the next hour or two, gradually less and less of the moon will be in shadow.

Tips & Warnings

• An entire lunar eclipse usually takes at least a few hours. Most people are content to watch just the beginning of the eclipse plus the moment of totality if it's a total eclipse.

• Remember to bundle up or even take a sleeping bag if the weather is going to be chilly. You'll lose body heat very quickly lying quietly on the ground.