(Image: NASA/MSFC/Alphonse Sterling)

Not long before sunrise tomorrow morning, April 4, the full moon should turn a lovely shade of celestial red during a brief total lunar eclipse.

The eclipse will be visible from all parts of the United States, however eastern North America will only see the beginning stages of the eclipse before sunrise, starting at about 6:16 a.m. EDT. The western US and Canada will get to see the eclipse from start to finish.

This eclipse will mark the third in a series of four lunar eclipses in a row, known as a “tetrad.” The first occurred April 15, 2014, the second in September of 2014 and the final eclipse will be Sept. 28, 2015.

For a total lunar eclipse to happen, the moon must be full, or directly opposite the sun, with Earth in between. The eclipse occurs when the moon moves into the shadow cast by the sun on Earth.

During the eclipse, the moon often looks reddish due to sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere, which filters out most of its blue light. This somewhat eerie but harmless effect has earned the nickname “blood moon.”

Unlike solar eclipses which require eye protection, viewers of the lunar eclipse will need only clear skies to see the spectacle. A pair of binoculars or a telescope may enhance the visual, but is not necessary.

A live Ustream view of the lunar eclipse will be available starting at 6 a.m. EDT at www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc.

Source: NASA