The midnight blood moon eclipse is coming, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry is ready.
OMSI will host a late-night watch party in Portland for the March 13 total lunar eclipse, giving people a good view of the astronomical event while explaining what in the world is happening up there.
The free event will take place in the museum’s south parking lot beside the Tilikum Crossing bridge, starting at 10 p.m. OMSI and the Rose City Astronomers will have telescopes set up for attendees to use, while the museum’s space science director, Jim Todd, will give an informal talk about the eclipse and the night sky.
All of this is weather dependent, of course, as thick cloud cover could block the entire event from view.
“The Moon does not have any light of its own, it shines because its surface reflects sunlight,” Todd explained in his latest newsletter. “During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon and cuts off the Moon’s light supply. The surface of the Moon takes on a reddish glow instead of going completely dark.”
The partial eclipse will begin at 10:09 p.m. in Portland, with the full eclipse happening between 11:26 p.m. and 12:31 a.m., according to Time and Date. The moment of maximum eclipse will be at 11:58 p.m.
Those who want to see the event should look to the southeast, where the full moon will be hanging overhead.
Time and Date will also offer a live stream of the lunar eclipse for those who can’t see it in person.
—Jamie Hale covers travel and the outdoors and co-hosts the Peak Northwest podcast. Reach him at 503-294-4077, jhale@oregonian.com or @HaleJamesB.
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