When and how to watch longest partial lunar eclipse early Friday morning in Fort Worth
North Texans will be able to catch a glimpse of the longest partial lunar eclipse in over 500 years starting early Friday morning.
The eclipse, also called the Beaver Moon, will start around 1:30 a.m. and by 3:30 a.m. nearly 97% of the moon will be covered, giving off a red color with only a sliver uncovered, said University of Texas at Arlington Planetarium Program Coordinator Jim Bader.
To watch, just go outside and take a look.
Estimating the timing of an eclipse is less chance and more mechanics, Bader said. How long or short a lunar eclipse lasts is dependent on how long the moon’s path stays in the center of Earth’s shadow.
“If you’re going to watch it tonight, make sure you’ve got some warm clothes or blankets outside. It’s going to be cold,” Bader said.
A freeze warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Fort Worth from midnight until 8 a.m. Friday.
The weather service said the eclipse should be easy to see, thanks to clear skies.
While the UTA Planetarium is not hosting a watch party for the lunar eclipse, planetarium staff will host a YouTube livestream Friday at noon to cover why eclipses happen and the significance of Friday morning’s eclipse and answer questions from the public.
The livestream can be accessed on UTA Planetarium’s YouTube page.
This story was originally published November 18, 2021 at 5:04 PM.
