The event begins with a penumbral eclipse as the moon crosses into the earth's lighter shadow. This will cause it to lose its brightness. An hour later, the moon enters the umbra and begins to turn orange or pink on its edge.
Forty minutes later the whole moon is within the umbra, called totality. Unlike a total solar eclipse, lunar totality lasts for about 40 minutes. At this time the moon is nearest the center of the earth's shadow.
Similar to a sunset, sunlight is bent through the earth's atmosphere before it hits the moon. The color depends on earth's atmosphere. If volcanic activity has occurred and ash is in the atmosphere a "blood" moon results.
If the sky is cloudy or you are not a night owl or insomniac, check listings to watch it live online.
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