Both Mars and Jupiter will blaze nicely on either side of the Moon as the eclipse begins. The Red Planet, shining at magnitude –1.4, is 40° to the east-northeast, and the king of planets, Jove, still near its greatest brilliancy for the year at magnitude –2.8, lies 46° west-southwest of Luna. Unfortunately, the farther east you are located, the more likely it is that Jupiter will have set.
Looking at lunar eclipses is safe
With an annular solar eclipse coming to the U.S. in 2023, followed six months later by a total solar eclipse, people promoting those events are stressing safety in viewing, and justifiably so. But while adequate eye protection is a legitimate concern during solar eclipses, a lunar eclipse poses no danger to your eyes. So, you won’t need a filter and you can even magnify the sight with binoculars or a telescope without worry.
Because this event occurs in the early morning on a Tuesday, people who work or go to school that day might skip it. Still, it may be fun to wake up and share a few minutes of totality with your family. Many astronomy clubs are already planning viewing parties for their members. Whether planetariums and science centers follow suit will likely depend on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and any local restrictions.
Events like this are easy to observe and enjoy. You don’t need binoculars or a telescope, although either will enhance your view. You don’t need to travel to a dark site, though if your neighborhood is light-polluted, getting out of the city will let you see many more stars during totality. And you don’t even have to watch the whole eclipse. Many people bail once totality is over. However and wherever you watch, get comfortable, stay warm, and enjoy the sublime celestial geometry of a total lunar eclipse. Good luck!