Get ready for tonight’s ‘super moon’ eclipse

Stargazers will be in for a treat tonight when a lunar eclipse and super moon will light up the sky over Metro Vancouver. The moon will turn a copper orange colour as the earth blocks the light from the sun.

1. WILL I BE ABLE TO SEE IT IN METRO VANCOUVER?

As with most celestial events it will depend on the weather. Environment Canada is calling for a mix of sun and cloud this evening, and then cloudy overnight, so it’s possible the clouds may part long enough to see the moon. The lunar eclipse will last a few hours.

2. WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO OBSERVE THE ECLIPSE IN METRO?

Kat Kelly, an astronomer with the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vancouver, says the centre will be having a show all about the moon this evening. The centre will be live-streaming the lunar eclipse on a big screen so even if it’s rainy or cloudy you can still bear witness to the celestial wonder. If it’s clear out, then visitors can look at the moon through the centre’s space telescope. Tickets are available on the centre’s website.

If you just plan on watching from your balcony, that works too. Kelly says if the weather is clear enough, then light pollution shouldn’t affect the viewing too much. That said, it will likely be more stunning on a dark mountain top.

SFU’s Trottier Observatory and Science Courtyard is also hosting a viewing of the eclipse today from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting.

3. WHEN SHOULD I WATCH IT AND WHAT WILL I SEE?

The peak is at 9:12 p.m. Kelly says the best time to watch is at the peak.

4. WHAT IF IT’S TOO CLOUDY?

If you can’t make it to the Space Centre to watch the screen, there are other sites online you can visit. Time and Date will show the eclipse live, as will many media outlets.