Clear skies expected in much of Nova Scotia for total lunar eclipse

The weather is forecasted to cooperate for Nova Scotians interested in seeing the total lunar eclipse early on Friday morning.

But those wanting to get a look at the celestial phenomenon will either need to stay up late or get up early.

The eclipse will begin around 1 a.m. Friday, peaking at 3:26 a.m. That peak will see the moon turn red, known as a “blood moon” lasting for about 55 minutes.

“Looks like the weather will be ideal for much of the region,” said CityNews weather specialist Allister Aalders. “Patchy mid-high clouds could pose some viewing challenges in parts of N.B., P.E.I., and N.L. The weather fair for much of N.S.”

Aalders says there is a chance of some high-level cloud around the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia, but it shouldn’t be enough to totally obscure the view.

There have been many reasons for people interested to look up to the sky over the past year.

“We had the solar eclipse last year in April. the aurora borealis, which were taking place, the planetary parade that just happened in January and now this, it’s an opportunity to engage young people about science and the world around them,” said Orbax, a science communicator in the Department of Physics at the University of Guelph.