Lunar Eclipse

Your best view of the lunar eclipse will be under dark skies with a clear view of the southern horizon. The Moon will rise over the eastern horizon just before sunset, then arc over the southern horizon where it will eventually meet Earth's shadow. The times of totality and other eclipse events will be constant throughout your time zone; moonrise will vary from city to city.

City glow will spoil the Moon's subtle color changes as it passes through the penumbra, then into the umbra. If you live close to bright city lights, drive south so that the lights glow on the northern horizon, away from your view of the eclipse.

You won't need a telescope or binoculars to enjoy the eclipse, but it never hurts to bring them along when you're star-gazing.

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth lies directly between the Moon and Sun. The full Moon passes through Earth's shadow -- first the penumbra, then the umbra -- as it swings around Earth's night side. A lunar eclipse does not occur during every full Moon because the Moon's orbit is tilted five degrees from Earth's orbit around the Sun.

In contrast, a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon lies directly between Earth and the Sun. The Moon casts a shadow on the Earth, obstructing our view of the Sun. Solar eclipses occur during the new Moon phase.