As if the excitement of it being Election Day weren't enough (and, it's really not), Illinoisans who get themselves out of bed a bit earlier than usual get a sky-show tomorrow morning that we won't see again for another three years:

A total blood moon lunar eclipse.

And, looking ahead to the weather conditions that will be present here in Northern Illinois during the eclipse, we should get a really good viewing.

Getty Images
Getty Images
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Tuesday's Eclipse Actually Has An Official Name: "Beaver Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse" Since It Occurs During November's Full Beaver Moon

I know what you're thinking, and I totally agree that Beaver Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse does sound like a great album title. Seems like something the Grateful Dead would have released, back in the day.

Anyhoo...

Tuesday's eclipse will also be a lengthy affair, with the whole thing, from start to finish, taking about 5 hours to come to completion.

A family enjoying the 2018 lunar eclipse.
If only they'd turn around, they could see it. Stupid tourists. (Getty Images)
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Here's What You Need To Know If You Want To Catch The Beaver Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse (or, BBMLE, since I'm getting tired of typing the whole name)

I guess it all depends on what you want to see. If you've got the time and inclination to watch the entire eclipse, you should plan on being outside and ready to go (all times CST):

  • At 2:02am for when the Penumbral eclipse begins.
  • Then, at 3:09am, the partial eclipse begins.
  • At 4:17am, Totality, or the entire moon entering the umbra, starts.
  • At 5:42am, Totality comes to an end.
  • At 6:49am, it's all over, as the moon sets.

As to the reason the moon takes on a reddish glow during the eclipse, NASA explains that:

During a lunar eclipse, the Moon turns red because the only sunlight reaching the Moon passes through Earth’s atmosphere. The more dust or clouds in Earth’s atmosphere during the eclipse, the redder the Moon will appear. It’s as if all the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon.

LOOK: The states with the most UFO sightings

For each state, we’ve also included details of famous UFO sightings in that state. Of note is that almost three-quarters of all UFO sighting reports in the United States occur between 4 p.m. and midnight, and tend to peak between 9 and 10 p.m. Food for thought next time you're out scoping for alien life. Keep reading to see which states have had the most UFO sightings.

READ ON: Weird, wild UFO sightings from throughout history

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