You won’t have to stay outside the whole time for the experience, but you might have to choose between going to bed late and waking up early, depending on where you live.
We can expect clear skies across the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and from Michigan and Ohio to Texas in the United States, CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said. Most of western Mexico and Southern Baja to Mazatlán will also have a clear view. The eclipse in other regions of North America — most of the Southeast, from the High Plains to the West Coast and in most of New England and Canada — could be obscured by clouds. But don’t be entirely discouraged.
“It is a very long eclipse so be a little patient and try to stay warm,” Myers said.
In full autumnal spirit, the moon will appear a reddish-brown color during the eclipse. The Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters sunlight, will create the effect of a sunset projected onto the moon.
Beaver moon festivities
The Cree and Assiniboine peoples call this moon the frost moon as cold weather settles in, and the Tlingit call this the digging moon for foraging animals, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
Cultures throughout Southeast Asia also celebrate this moon with festivals, according to NASA. During the Loi Krathong festival in Thailand, people decorate and release baskets into a river. This full moon also marks the Cambodian Water Festival, which features dragon boat races.
Celestial events in December
If you still need to knock stargazing off your 2021 bucket list, there are a handful of celestial events to catch before the year ends.
A total eclipse of the sun, when the moon passes between the Earth and sun, will occur on December 4, according to NASA.