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The moon will rise at 9:22 p.m., and no special equipment is needed to watch the lunar eclipse.
The moon rises above the oil pumps near Arrowwood, east of Calgary. Photo by Mike Drew / Postmedia file
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A “rare celestial event” could allow Albert residents to see a red moon on Sunday.
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The total lunar eclipse, which is expected to occur on May 15, will be the first of two for Alberta this year, and another is expected on November 8.
Telus World of Science announced on Wednesday that the eclipse will be underway when the moon rises in the southeastern sky over Edmonton around 9:22 p.m., except in cloudy conditions.
The total eclipse is expected to begin six minutes later at 9:28 p.m. and continue until 10:54 p.m .; the partial or dark eclipse may remain visible until 23:55, while the semi-eclipse is expected to end around 12:51.
An eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the earth’s shadow into space. It can acquire a rusty red hue when it enters the darkest part of the shadow, as the Earth blocks direct sunlight and leaves the moon illuminated by only a small amount of long-wavelength light refracting through the atmosphere.
There are up to seven eclipses each year, but usually closer to four.
It is safe to watch a lunar eclipse with the naked eye, unlike a solar eclipse.
Telus World of Science and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will be set up with telescopes available to the public at Coronation Park between 10pm and midnight, but warned in a press release that trees in the park could obstruct the view.
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