MICHIGAN, USA —
First Time a Total Lunar Eclipse occurs on Election Day
A total eclipse of the moon on Election Day turns out to be the rarest of events; in fact, it's the first time in U.S. history!
Click here to find out what time the lunar eclipsed will be visible in your community.
Election Day Facts
Federal law says Election Day must take place in an even-numbered year, like 2022, and must be on the "Tuesday after the first Monday in November."
So, a lunar eclipse would need to fall somewhere between Nov. 2 and 8, and on a Tuesday.
How a Lunar Eclipse Occurs
A lunar eclipse takes place when the full moon passes through the sun's shadow of the Earth.
Previous Election Day Lunar Eclipses
The last lunar eclipse on Election Day was on Tuesday, November 3, 1846, but it was only a 'partial eclipse', likely not noticeable except for some savvy star (or moon) gazers.
There was a 'total eclipse' on Tuesday, November 4, 1873 but it happened in an odd-numbered year.
For the record, before 1845, there was no Election 'Day' itself, but a 34-day election 'period' ending on the first Wednesday of December. A total lunar eclipse did occur on November 3, 1808, albeit on a Thursday, not a Tuesday.
Future Election Day Lunar Eclipses
The next lunar eclipse on Election Day will be on Tuesday, November 3, 2218, but it will again be a 'partial eclipse'. A 'total eclipse' will occur in 372 years on Tuesday, November 8, 2394.
You can watch the lunar eclipse live on November 8 here!
Chief Meteorologist George Lessens
George is a graduate of Penn State University working for 13 On Your Side for nearly 42 years. He is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM), a twelve-time MAB® Weathercast Award Winner and two-time EMMY® Award Winner.
Contact me at: GeorgeLessens@13OnYourSide.com
Follow me on Twitter @glessens and Facebook GeorgeLessensWZZM
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