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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Total lunar eclipse coming Saturday

A total lunar eclipse will occur for a short 12 minutes on Saturday, beginning at 4:54 a.m., according to Sky & Telescope online. NASA estimates an even shorter period for the total eclipse of 4 minutes and 43 seconds. The eclipse will be visible as the full moon drops toward the western horizon. Sky-watchers in the western United States and Canada will be able to see the total eclipse before the moon sets. Whether clouds will part long enough to see the celestial event is up in the air. The National Weather Service on Monday said that the weather is likely to be mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. It will also be cold with a low in the mid-30s. The Earth’s shadow is expected to barely eclipse the upper portion of the moon, which accounts for the short duration. Also, the upper portion of the moon will remain relatively bright and may dampen the copper or blood color that is common with total lunar eclipses, scientists said. A total lunar eclipse is sometimes known as a “blood moon.” The coloring is caused by the Earth’s atmosphere refracting light similar to the colors that occur at dusk. The first evidence of the eclipse will be at 2:35 a.m. in Spokane. A partial eclipse begins at 3:15 a.m. and ends at 6:45 a.m. This is the third in a series of four lunar eclipses known as a “tetrad.” The last of the four will be on Sept. 28.