‘Blood moon’ total lunar eclipse to light up P.E.I. sky tonight [Video]

Prince Edward Islanders are in for a celestial treat tonight as a total lunar eclipse will be visible across the province and throughout Canada. Unlike last year’s solar eclipse, this one is safe to view with the naked eye.

This occurs when the Earth aligns itself between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the lunar surface.

Normally, the moon is visible through light from the sun bouncing off it. But during this phenomenon, sunlight filters through the Earth’s atmosphere, causing the moon to take on a reddish colour, said Chris Vessey of the Charlottetown Astronomy Club.

“It’s like putting a bit of a red gel on a projector and projecting it onto the moon,” said Vessey, who is also the leader of the Sidewalk Astronomers of Charlottetown.