DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Despite patches of clouds that formed throughout the daylight hours across the region, drier air moving in tonight will allow them to dissipate with the setting sun. The sun will set at 7:34 p.m. this evening, allowing for perfect conditions for tonight's partial (mostly) lunar eclipse. Â
I say mostly because up to 96% of the moon's face will be shrouded in the Earth's umbra. That's the deep, darker part of its shadow. The festivities will start shortly after 8 p.m. as the penumbral eclipse begins. This is the lighter outer shadow where light is only partially blocked. The true show starts just after 9:30 p.m. as the partial eclipse begins. This is when the moon will look like it has a bite taken out of its edge. A coppery, orange color will coincide with tonight's August Full Sturgeon Moon. Maximum coverage occurs at 11:14 p.m. under clear skies.  Â
The next lunar eclipse in Illinois won't take place until Feb. 20, 2027 as only a penumbral eclipse. All the more reason to take advantage of tonight's view. Â
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