Don't Miss the Century's Longest Partial Lunar Eclipse

A lunar eclipse, also known as a "Blood Moon," is a natural phenomenon. Due to the reddish color caused by Earth completely blocking direct sunlight from reaching the Moon, a completely eclipsed Moon is sometimes referred to as a blood moon. The Earth's atmosphere has refracted the only light reflected from the lunar surface.

This year has seen a slew of partial lunar eclipses, but the longest one of the century is just around the corner.

According to NASA, a three-hour and 28-minute partial lunar eclipse will occur on November 18 and 19, and people all over the world will be able to see it by simply walking outside.

On Friday, November 19, 2021, the full Moon will turn red in North America, South America, Australia, and East Asia.

It will not, however, turn completely red. Only 97 percent of the Moon will enter Earth's shadow in space during the event, leaving a tiny portion illuminated by the Sun.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth obstructs the Sun's light and prevents it from reaching the Moon. This can occur ultimately when the Moon completely enters Earth's shadow or partially.

As a result, the Moon's light fades at night as it enters the darkness cast by the Earth.

According to NASA data on lunar eclipses from 2001 to 2100, this month's partial eclipse will be the longest of the century, lasting more than 3 hours and 28 minutes. In comparison, the longest total eclipse of the century occurred in 2018 and lasted nearly an hour and 43 minutes.

Lunar eclipses do not have the same dramatic appearance as solar eclipses, which appear to be someone carving a black hole out of the side of the Sun.

The Moon darkens and sometimes turns reddish during a lunar eclipse. The Earth's shadow does not completely cover the Moon during a partial eclipse. Partial eclipses are still incredible sights.

When the Moon passes behind Earth's shadow, the partial lunar eclipse will peak at 4:02 a.m. According to NASA, it begins at 2:18 a.m. and ends at 5:47 a.m. on the East Coast.

According to NASA, "weather permitting, the eclipse will be visible from any location where the moon appears above the horizon during the eclipse."

To find out the exact eclipse timings for your location, go to timeanddate.com.

Eclipses are not common occurrences on Earth, and they are not always easily visible. At the same time, some viewers may have to deal with late-night viewing for this month's celestial event.

If you miss this one, don't worry; lunar eclipses happen twice a year, and there will be a total lunar eclipse between May 15 and 16, 2022, followed by another between Nov. 7 and 8, later that year, according to timeanddate.com.