The moon is set to pull off a disappearing act on Tuesday, and those who miss it will have to wait three years for another chance to see something like it again.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible throughout North America before dawn on Tuesday, giving those further west the best view. In Asia, Australia and the rest of the Pacific, it will be visible after sunset.
Uranus is set to be visible just a finger’s width above the moon, resembling a bright star, at that time.
The eclipse’s totality will last nearly 90 minutes – from 5.16am to 6.41am ET – as Earth passes directly between the moon and sun.
The eclipse will appear reddish-orange from the light of Earth’s sunsets and sunrises, creating what is known as a blood moon. According to scientists with Nasa, the moon will be 242,740 miles (390,553km) away from Earth.
Observers can improve their viewing with binoculars and telescopes, and they should hope for clear skies.
While those in South America will be able to see some of the lunar eclipse on Tuesday if the weather cooperates, Africa, the Middle East and most of Europe will not, sadly, get a chance to view it. They will have to wait until the next one in 2025, or settle for numerous partial lunar eclipses until then.
Tuesday’s will be the second total lunar eclipse this year, after one in May.
The Associated Press contributed reporting
