A 96.2% full lunar eclipse will be visible over Wyoming on Thursday night. When the Earth’s shadow covers the moon, it will appear mostly covered in blood-red light, except for a slim sliver of light at the top corner. Provided it isn't too cloudy, this lunar eclipse should be one of the best over Wyoming in a while.
Jan Curtis, a retired meteorologist, climatologist, and former Wyoming State climatologist, said, ‘If we have to have a partial eclipse, this is the kind I’d like to see.’ The eclipse phases for Wyoming start more than 30 minutes before the moon rises at 7:52 p.m. By 8:33 p.m., the moon will be 50% covered, marking the beginning of the partial-eclipse phase. The eclipse will reach its climax at 10:12 p.m., with nearly the entire moon covered. The moon will appear blood-red with a slight sliver of silver at the edge.
At maximum coverage, the moon will be in the southeast sky, near the constellation Aquarius. For photographers, Dave Bell, a Pinedale photographer, said lunar eclipses are ‘a piece of cake.’ He recommended using a mirrorless camera with a wider aperture and slower shutter speed, and a tripod for stability. Smartphones can be adjusted for better results, though they have limitations.
The weather is the only unpredictable factor. Don Day, meteorologist at Cowboy State Daily, noted scattered clouds but predicted many areas in Wyoming will have clear spots. If missed, lunar eclipses occur every year and a half, with the next visible one on February 20, 2027, though it will be a penumbral eclipse. Curtis called this eclipse ‘unusual and spectacular,’ with prime viewing between 10 and 11 p.m. if skies are clear.