Hofstra Holding Free Viewing Of Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse

This weekend promises to be one of the most exciting astronomical events of the year, with a total eclipse of a super blood wolf moon happening Sunday night. And Hofstra University is hosting a special viewing with it's huge telescope.

Many different things are lining up to create what should be a spectacular eclipse. The super blood wolf moon gets its name from the confluence of events: it is a "super moon" because the moon will be at its closest to Earth (and therefore look bigger and brighter); the "blood moon" comes from the color the moon turns during the height of the eclipse; and the term "wolf moon" is a Native American name for the first full moon of January, when wolves tended to howl at it more.

The eclipse will be visible across North America, and will reach totality a little after midnight Monday morning, according to NASA. But if you stay up late on Sunday, you can catch quite a show (if the weather holds out, that is).

And to make the show as great as possible, Hofstra University's Department of Physics and Astronomy is hosting a special viewing party from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event is free, but you have to pre-register by filling out the form here. Attendance is limited to 150 people. You can get more information by visiting the Hofstra Univeristy Observatory page.

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