Longest Lunar Eclipse of 21st Century Happening in July

The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st Century occurs in July but will be visible only to those in the Eastern Hemisphere.

The historic event takes place July 27-28 and will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, EarthSky reported. That’s a bit longer than the last total lunar eclipse on Jan. 31, which put on a show for 1 hour and 16 minutes.

North Americans won’t be able to see this eclipse. It also won’t be visible in most of the Arctic and many areas of the Pacific Ocean. People in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand will be able see it, weather-permitting.

South Americans can see the partial final stages after sunset July 27, according to EarthSky. The high point of the eclipse will appear between sunset and midnight July 27 for Europe and Africa. The Middle East will have the greatest effect at midnight. People in Australia, Asia, and Indonesia will have their best opportunity to see the eclipse between midnight and sunrise July 28.

The moon will take nearly four hours from start to finish to cross over the Earth’s dark umbral shadow, the darkest part of Earth’s shadow during an eclipse, according to The Weather Channel. It will pass directly into the darkest part of the shadow.

The longest time a total lunar eclipse has occurred is 1 hour and 47 minutes.

North Americans can start planning for the next total lunar eclipse, which will be visible Jan. 21, 2019, according to Space.com. It also will be visible in South America and parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

• Super Blue Blood Moon Eclipse Crosses the Sky
• Blood Moon Rises With Shortest Eclipse of the Century