'Beaver Blood Moon': Chicago's last chance to view a total lunar eclipse until 2025

If you miss Tuesday's total lunar eclipse, you won't get another chance to view one until 2025.

Image by Lukassek/Depositphotos.com

(CHICAGO) In the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 8, Election Day, as long as the skies are clear, the moon is going to put on a show. A total lunar eclipse will be visible in the Chicago area beginning at 3:09 AM, with the peak at 4:59 AM.

Why is it called the "Beaver Blood Moon?"

November's full moon is known as the Beaver Moon. According to Farmer's Almanac, it's the time of year when beavers are spotted collecting wood along rivers and streams to prepare their dams for winter.

In addition to the full moon this Tuesday, the brightly glowing moon will turn red during the total lunar eclipse, which is why it's called a Blood Moon.

When is the best time to view the eclipse?

According to Adler Skywatch from Chicago's Adler Planetarium, the stages of the total lunar eclipse will be:

• 3:09 AM: Partial lunar eclipse starts (the moon starts to turn reddish)
• 4:16 AM: Total lunar eclipse begins (the moon will become entirely red)
• 4:59 AM: Maximum eclipse
• 5:41: Total eclipse ends
• 6:40 AM: The moon sets in the Chicago area

Want to sleep in? You can watch the eclipse on YouTube

Adler astronomers will live stream the celestial event on YouTube. You can watch a recording of it later.

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

Chicago won't get a chance to view another total lunar eclipse until Friday, March 14, 2025.

When is the next solar eclipse?

The Chicago region will get a treat on April 8, 2024, when a solar eclipse will occur. Though Chicago is not in the path of totality, and only a partial eclipse will be seen here, it's not too far of a drive to see the total solar eclipse. According to NASA, the path of the total eclipse will go through southern Illinois near Carbondale.

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More from Jennifer Geer

I'm a Chicago-based content writer covering local happenings in my area. You can follow me here on NewsBreak by using the "follow" button, located before and after this article on your phone or the left side menu on your computer.

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