The full moon right before and after a lunar eclipse is about as bright as it can get. I'll never forget watching a total lunar eclipse from JB nigh on about 30 years ago right around this time of year. As the moon rose it was blazingly bright and it stayed fairly bright during the early phases of the eclipse. However, as totality approached you could visibly see the Milky Way growing across the sky. During totality the moon was in the thick of the Sagittarius star clouds just off of the Teapot. Simply beautiful! I've got my gear out in my back yard tonight to watch the moon come up.

Enjoy!

-John