Why it matters: This is the first total lunar eclipse since November 2022 and it's the only lunar eclipse visible from the U.S. this year.
What is a total lunar eclipse?
How it works: A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth and Moon align so the moon passes into Earth's shadow, according to NASA.
What is a Blood Moon?
Lunar eclipses are sometimes called "Blood Moons" because the Moon will turn a reddish and copper hue, NASA said.
When is the total lunar eclipse Thursday and Friday?
The big picture: The hours for when the lunar eclipse will be visible vary by time zone, but the weekend's start of daylight saving time means the Sun rises later.
Why does the Moon appear red during total lunar eclipse?
Zoom in: The Moon appears red or orange because "any sunlight that's not blocked by our planet is filtered through a thick slice of Earth's atmosphere," NASA said.
What time does the total lunar eclipse start?
The initial phase of the eclipse, called the penumbral eclipse, begins at 11:57pm ET and 8:57pm PDT Thursday, NASA said in its timeline.
The partial eclipse begins at 1:09am ET Friday, which is 10:09pm PT.
Can you look at a lunar eclipse without glasses?
What we're watching: Unlike a solar eclipse where you need eclipse glasses to safely view it, special equipment isn't needed to observe a lunar eclipse.
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