Indiana and Kentucky Get a Front-Row Seat to a Stunning Lunar Eclipse

If there is an eclipse happening anywhere nearby, you can pretty much guarantee I am going to be outside staring at the sky.

Thankfully, this one won't require fighting eclipse traffic or even putting on those funny little cardboard glasses.

A spectacular lunar eclipse will be visible across Indiana and Kentucky Thursday night, August 27, and we're in a great spot to see it.

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Nearly the Entire Moon Will Disappear Into Earth's Shadow

This isn't technically a total lunar eclipse, but it's going to get really close.

According to NASA, at the height of the eclipse, 96.3% of the Moon's disk will be inside Earth's umbra, the darkest central portion of Earth's shadow.

What will remain in those moments will be just a thin sliver of the Moon illuminated by direct sunlight.

And while it won't technically be a total lunar eclipse, the rest of the Moon may take on shades of copper, rust, and deep red, giving it something that looks remarkably similar to the famous "blood moon" seen during totality.

David Woods

When to See the Lunar Eclipse in Indiana and Kentucky

The eclipse happens Thursday night, August 27, into early Friday morning, August 28.

Here in the Central Time portion of the Tri-State, maximum eclipse will occur at approximately 11:13 p.m. CDT Thursday. The partial phase begins roughly an hour and 40 minutes before maximum eclipse, so you don't have to wait until 11:13 to start watching Earth's shadow creep across the Moon.

The entire event, including the much more subtle penumbral phases, lasts more than five hours.

Assuming the clouds cooperate, much of North America will have an excellent view of the eclipse.

No Eclipse Glasses Needed This Time

Unlike a solar eclipse, you can safely look directly at a lunar eclipse. No special glasses or protective equipment are necessary.

You don't need a telescope either. The eclipse will be easily visible with the naked eye, although binoculars or a telescope can give you an even better at Earth's shadow moving across the lunar surface.

Consider this your reminder to set a reminder for Thursday night, hope for clear skies, and look up, because 96% is close enough to happily lose a little sleep over.

[Source: NASA; Space.com]