The rare event occurs when Earth lies between the sun and moon, causing the full moon to be totally engulfed in Earth's shadow. February 2008 was the last time there was a total lunar eclipse.
However, the moon will not turn completely dark because Earth's atmosphere filters and bends sunlight, allowing the light to indirectly pass onto the moon. As the moon moves deeper into Earth's shadow, it will appear more orange and red.
The eclipse will last approximately 3.5 hours. In a rare turnout, it also coincides with Tuesday's northern winter solstice, the beginning of winter in the hemisphere. This places the moon high in the sky.
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
Beginning stages of the eclipse will also be visible in Europe, West Africa and South America before it's interrupted by moonset and sunrise; later stages of the eclipse will be visible in western Asia after moonrise.
On average, there are two to three lunar eclipses annually. The next total lunar eclipse visible in the continental U.S. will not arrive until April 14-15, 2014.
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
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