How To Watch The Lunar Eclipse In Louisiana This Morning

(KMDL-FM) Early risers across Louisiana and the Gulf South will be treated to a rare celestial event in the early hours of Tuesday. It is a total lunar eclipse. And yes, you could see it from your backyard, a parking lot, or an open field in South Louisiana this morning.

The biggest hindrance to your ability to see the lunar eclipse clearly might be the local sky conditions. According to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Lake Charles, visibility around the region might be limited or obscured by some clouds and fog.

What Is a Lunar Eclipse? Why Is It Called a Blood Moon?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow across the Moon's face. The shadow gives the moon a reddish appearance. The occurrence is often referred to as a blood moon.

If you're unable to get outside early this morning, or your bed is just too darn comfortable to leave a few minutes early, you can watch this live stream of the Blood Moon or Lunar Eclipse.

Now, if you'd like to step outside and see for yourself. Here's what you'll want to know and where to look.

The moon should be pretty obvious and easy to find in the night sky. If you don't see it, then you could be a victim of cloud cover, fog, treeline clutter, building clutter, or perhaps you don't know where to look.

Where Do I Look to See the Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse?

The NWS Forecast Office in Lake Charles put this handy graphic that will give you advice on finding what you want to see.

weather.gov/lch

We should note that there is no specific threat to your eyes or eye injury if you would like to view the eclipse in person. Unlike a solar eclipse, where you're staring directly into the sun, the light reflected off the moon's surface is not that bright and not nearly as dangerous to the health of your vision.

Temperatures across South Louisiana are in the lower 60s and upper 50s this morning, so you'll want a jacket if you plan to step outside and cast your eyes to the sky.

The National Weather Service is telling us that sky conditions during the eclipse hours will be about 50%. That 50% refers to the percentage of sky that could be obscured with clouds or fog this morning.

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Remember, you want to look low in the western horizon between roughly 0400 AM and 0600 AM, with totality expected about 0500 AM. Let us know if you saw it, and share some pictures. You can use our app to do that.