U.S., especially the West, to get view of total lunar eclipse
DENVER (AP) - The Earth's shadow will creep across the moon's surface early Tuesday, slowly eclipsing the moon and causing it to turn shades of orange and red.
The total lunar eclipse, the second this year, will be visible in North and South America - especially in the Western U.S. - as well as the Pacific islands, eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
It won't be visible in Europe, Africa or the Middle East because the moon will have set when the eclipse begins at 2:51 a.m. MDT. Observers in those regions had the best view of the last total lunar eclipse in March.
An eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light. It's rare because the moon is usually either above or below the plane of Earth's orbit.
The total eclipse phase, in which the moon has an orange or reddish glow, lasts about 1 1/2 hours.
The full eclipse will be visible across the United States, but East Coast viewers will get about a half-hour to see it before the sun begins to rise and the moon sets. Skywatchers in the West will get the full show.
The total lunar eclipse, the second this year, will be visible in North and South America - especially in the Western U.S. - as well as the Pacific islands, eastern Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
It won't be visible in Europe, Africa or the Middle East because the moon will have set when the eclipse begins at 2:51 a.m. MDT. Observers in those regions had the best view of the last total lunar eclipse in March.
An eclipse occurs when Earth passes between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light. It's rare because the moon is usually either above or below the plane of Earth's orbit.
The total eclipse phase, in which the moon has an orange or reddish glow, lasts about 1 1/2 hours.
The full eclipse will be visible across the United States, but East Coast viewers will get about a half-hour to see it before the sun begins to rise and the moon sets. Skywatchers in the West will get the full show.