Total lunar eclipse to be visible from Edmonton skies on Thursday night

Light shines from a total lunar eclipse over Santa Monica Beach in Santa Monica, Calif., Wednesday, May 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)

A total lunar eclipse will be visible in the sky over Edmonton on Thursday night and into Friday morning, Telus World of Science Edmonton says.

A lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon are correctly aligned and the Moon travels through Earth’s shadow in space.

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During the total eclipse, the shadow of the Earth on the Moon will give the Moon a dark red or rusty appearance.

The red colour is caused by a small amount of long wavelength (red) sunlight refracting through the Earth’s atmosphere.

Unlike a solar eclipse, no special filters or instruments are required to view a lunar eclipse.

Telus World of Science Edmonton is inviting people to come down to the Edmonton and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in Coronation Park between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., clear skies permitting, to view the eclipse.

Participants are reminded to dress warmly.

The next total lunar eclipse visible from Alberta will be on March 2, 2026.