We don't often get to see lunar events in all their glory here in Australia, but Tuesday is one of those lucky few nights!

On November 8, a spectacular blood moon will be visible across the country – and will likely be the last time you can view the sight for another three years.

For those of us who are unfamiliar with the term 'blood moon', it occurs when the sun, Earth and moon align perfectly, causing the moon to pass into Earth's shadow. This particular event will give off a reddish hue to the surface of our natural satellite.

‘While the Earth casts a shadow into space, a little bit of sunlight skims through the Earth‘s atmosphere and into space,’ Australian National University (ANU) astrophysicist Brad Tucker explained.

‘Just as sunrise and sunset are an orange or reddish colour, so is this light that skims through the Earth‘s atmosphere and out into space.’

The moon is set to pass into Earth's shadow on November 8 as part of the 'blood moon' phenomenon, which happens when the sun, moon, and Earth all line up. Credit: news.com.au.

Total lunar eclipses are not unusual, but they are still fairly rare, according to Dr Tucker. He stated that this was because the moon's orbit didn't always line up perfectly with the sun and Earth, making total eclipses rare occurrences.

He added: 'The moon wobbles by about five degrees as it orbits around the Earth.'

Luckily for us stargazers down under, Tuesday evening is one of those occasions where everything lines up just right. So make sure you step outside at some point between 8:09 PM and 11:49 PM (local time) to catch a glimpse.

For those who are looking for a more accurate timetable of the phenomenon, below are the best schedules when you can view the 'blood' moon in its full glory:

If you miss the opportunity to view the blood moon this Tuesday, another one is expected to occur in 2025. Credit: news.com.au.

BLOOD MOON VIEWING TIMES ACROSS AUSTRALIA ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022 (all times PM):

ACT/NSW/VIC/TAS

Starts at 8.09, ends at 11.49. Total eclipse (when fully red) will last from 9.16 – 10.41.

QLD

Starts at 7.09, ends at 10.49. Total eclipse (when fully red) will last from 8.16 – 9.41.

SA

Starts at 7.43, ends at 11.19. Total eclipse (when fully red) will last from 8:46 – 10.11.

NT

Starts at 6.42, ends at 10.19. Total eclipse (when fully red) will last from 7:46 – 9.11.

WA

Starts at 6.43, ends at 8.49. Total eclipse (when fully red) will last from 6.43 – 7.41. Source: news.com.au

Also, here are some quick tips to help you view the November 8 blood moon:

1. There is no need to buy a telescope or binoculars. If you have them at home, you can use them. If not, that's ok.
2. Find a location with a wide-open view of the night sky, away from artificial light pollution.
3. Observe the moon as it enters and exits the Earth's shadow. Note that the moon takes about an hour to enter the planet's shadow, and another hour to leave.

Key Takeaways

• A rare blood moon is set to occur on November 8 and will be visible across Australia.
• A blood moon occurs when the sun, Earth and moon align in a way that causes the moon to pass into the Earth’s shadow.
• This event may be the last chance to see a blood moon until 2025.
• The best time to view the blood moon in Australia will be during the total eclipse phase, which will last from 9.16 – 10.41 pm AEDT.

So there you have it, members! Are you looking forward to (potentially) seeing the blood moon? Also, if you happen to catch the blood moon, please share your experiences with us in the comments below.

 

[JayKay]

I'll be out there watching.
I always try to see the rare phenomena in the sky.....my son is an avid skywatcher too.
When he was little, we'd travel to dark open spaces to watch meteor showers and meteorites.
We saw Mars in 2003 when it was very close.
He has sent me photos from Sydney and I send him photos from Melbourne.....but everything is so tiny in photos without specialised equipment.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I will also try to see it

 

[Wandiwa]

I'll be out there watching.
I always try to see the rare phenomena in the sky.....my son is an avid skywatcher too.
When he was little, we'd travel to dark open spaces to watch meteor showers and meteorites.
We saw Mars in 2003 when it was very close.
He has sent me photos from Sydney and I send him photos from Melbourne.....but everything is so tiny in photos without specialised equipment.

JayKay this site might appeal .... https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/australia/melbourne.
It shows each planets rise and set time. Also where to look in the sky. Hope it helps.

 

[JayKay]

JayKay this site might appeal .... https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/australia/melbourne.
It shows each planets rise and set time. Also where to look in the sky. Hope it helps.

That's fabulous, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.
When my son lived in Coonabarabran for 3 years, we visited the giant telescope and had a visit to a smaller private telescope during the day to see the sun and went back at night to see the planets and stars.
Certainly no street lights or city lights to ruin the darkness.
Totally wonderful, exhilarating!

 

[Thecla]

We are in our new build!! We also have no curtains yet .Lucky for us the block next door is being developed as well and we do have a high fence. When I wake in the middle of the night or a little later I look out the window and there is the moon and one really bright star in all their glory peeking through the tree that's out there, but by that time all the colour show will be done and dusted. There is a little hope that I might see something from the backyard before I go to bed if the moon is up high enough. Not sure waking hubby to go down to the Boulevarde to watch it over the ocean would cut the mustard,