{"id":14435,"date":"2014-10-07T06:15:12","date_gmt":"2014-10-07T12:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/?p=14435"},"modified":"2014-10-07T06:17:47","modified_gmt":"2014-10-07T12:17:47","slug":"lunar-eclipse-to-bring-blood-moon-for-second-time-of-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thorntonweather.com\/blog\/astronomy\/lunar-eclipse-to-bring-blood-moon-for-second-time-of-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Lunar eclipse to bring \u2018blood moon\u2019 for second time of year"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Diagram<\/a>
Diagram of the October 8, 2014 total lunar eclipse. Click for a larger view. (Image courtesy Fred Espenak \/ EclipseWise.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For the second time of the year, sky gazers will have the opportunity to witness a total lunar eclipse.\u00a0 This is in fact the second in a series of four consecutive total lunar eclipses, an event called the lunar tetrad.<\/p>\n

Colorado and the rest of the western United States will have a front row seat to the celestial event occurring on the morning of Wednesday, October 8.<\/p>\n

When and where to watch?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The partial eclipse begins at 3:15am MDT with totality starting at 4:25am.\u00a0 The moon will then be completely eclipsed for approximately one hour with mid-eclipse at 4:55am.\u00a0 The waning partial eclipse will end at 6:34am.<\/p>\n

Anyone in the area with a clear view of the western sky should have no problem viewing the event.<\/p>\n

When the event begins the moon will be about 40 degrees above the horizon.\u00a0 It will be sinking closer to the horizon as the eclipse progresses.\u00a0 At mid-eclipse, the moon will be 25 degrees above the horizon.\u00a0 When the moon emerges from the shadow of the Earth, it will barely be visible to the west as it sets.<\/p>\n

Will Mother Nature cooperate?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Current models do indicate there will be some overnight cloudiness lasting into tomorrow morning as we see an increase in atmospheric moisture. Grids indicate 40% sky cover for the time period near mid-eclipse.\u00a0 The timing and location of those clouds may limit viewing a bit.\u00a0 The good thing is that we are expecting a mild night with temperatures right around 50 degrees in Thornton during the event. \u00a0Click here to view the\u00a0hour-by-hour point forecast for the latest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is the \u2018blood moon\u2019 and tetrad?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"April<\/a>
April 15, 2014 – The lunar eclipse is seen half-way to totality, the total lunar eclipse, and half-way between totality and the end. Click for a larger view. (Tony’s Takes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During totality, the moon will be rendered orange \/ red as the Earth\u2019s shadow envelops the moon.\u00a0 Many are calling this a \u2018blood moon\u2019 but the meaning behind that term isn\u2019t exactly clear.<\/p>\n

As written on EarthSky.org<\/a>, some attribute it to the lunar tetrad \u2013 four successive full lunar eclipses without any partial eclipses. \u00a0Tomorrow morning’s\u00a0eclipse is the second in the\u00a0lunar tetrad with each full lunar eclipse coming six months apart.<\/p>\n

The blood moon as it pertains to these eclipses should not be confused with the October full moon which is also referred to as a blood moon in folklore.<\/p>\n

For more information:<\/strong><\/p>\n