Watch Tonight’s Rare Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse Before It Vanishes For Years

Tonight, as well as into early tomorrow morning, a total lunar eclipse will sweep across the globe, plunging the full Moon into the Earth’s shadow for nearly an hour. Visible to over 3 billion people across the Americas, East Asia, and Oceania, this special event won't return for another few years, so be sure to watch it if you can.

For observers here in North America, the timing is particularly favorable. This eclipse will begin with the penumbral phase (a subtle dimming that is often missed by the casual eye) before the partial phase begins to take a bite out of the Moon. Even better is that totality is scheduled to last approximately 58 minutes. During this time, the Moon will be seen in a copper or blood-orange hue that will vary depending on the amount of dust and clouds in the upper atmosphere. Those close to volcanic ...