Total Lunar Eclipse For The Americas


In the wee hours of April 15th, 2014, people in North and South America have the opportunity to view a total lunar eclipse. If that isn’t enough for you to go outside and watch, this eclipse will also be a “Blood Moon“. At totality, the Moon will take on a red/orange tint.

2014 Lunar Eclipse
2014 Lunar Eclipse Time Table
Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

The visible part of the eclipse begins at 5:58 AM UT (Universal Time) when the penumbra of the Earth’s shadow will begin covering the face of the Moon. Totality will occur from 7:07 AM UT until 8:25 AM UT. The final phase of the penumbra will be at 9:33 AM UT.

For those that don’t know where they are in relation to GMT times, here’s a handy guide:

ADT (Atlantic Daylight Time) = UT – 3 hours
EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) = UT – 4 hours
CDT (Central Daylight Time) = UT – 5 hours
MDT (Mountain Daylight Time) = UT – 6 hours
PDT (Pacific  Daylight Time) = UT – 7 hours
AKDT (Alaska Daylight Time) = UT – 8 hours
HDT (Hawaii Daylight Time) = UT – 9 hours

People in Pacific Daylight Time and points west will notice after doing the math, the eclipse actually begins on the evening of the 14th. Observers in Arizona, remember to use PDT time since you don’t follow Daylight Savings Time.

Make sure to watch! Weather permitting, I know I’ll be out watching.