On the nightfall of March 3rd a rare opportunity presents itself. In the eastern United States, Canada, and South America one will have the opportunity to see a total eclipse of the moon around dusk. This eclipse should be especially easy to see in Africa and western Europe because the event will take place at night when the sky is completely black. Western Asia may get a chance to see the eclipse just as the moon is setting and the sky begins to appear.

The eclipse is said to begin at 5:44 p.m. eastern time and end a little over an hour later.

Lunar Eclipse

Here are some answered questions about lunar eclipses:

• What should I expect?
  • The moon won’t turn black, but instead should turn a reddish-orange color.
• Do I need protective eye-wear?
  • No protective eye-wear is needed.
• How exactly does a total lunar eclipse happen?
  • A total lunar eclipse occurs when a full moon passes entirely through the Earth’s umbra or commonly known as Earth’s dark inner shadow.
• What’s the difference between a partial eclipse and total lunar eclipse?
  • A partial eclipse is when part of the moon is in the Earth’s outer shadow, or penum, which is not as dark.

  

Sources:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/03/070302-lunar-eclipse.html

http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/OH/OH2007.html#2007Mar03T

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_eclipse

Picture Sources:

http://www.raftermranch.com/Lunar%20Eclipse%20second_102704/Lunar_Eclipse_color_cropped_922PM.jpg

http://www.space.com/spacewatch/041022_eclipse_series.html