A near total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of North and South America on Thursday night, with about 96% of the Moon darkened at its peak.

Color changes of the Moon during the eclipse result from sunlight refracted by Earth’s atmosphere, with shorter wavelengths scattered and longer wavelengths (red/orange) predominating.

The eclipse timeline spans roughly five and a half hours, starting with the outer shadow at 9:23 p.m. ET, partial eclipse begins at 10:33 p.m. ET, maximum at 12:13 a.m. ET, partial eclipse ends at 1:51 a.m. ET, and the penumbral phase concludes at 3:01 a.m. ET.

Forecasts suggest mostly cloudy skies, but occasional openings in clouds may allow views, with the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center listed as a viewing hotspot; observers can also watch from other locations with a Moon view.

Experts note atmospheric factors that influence the exact hue and ease of viewing, including insights from university astronomers.

For more information, visit usca.edu/rpsec (events page: eclipses) to learn about viewing options.

No special equipment is needed to observe a lunar eclipse; it can be safely viewed with the naked eye, though binoculars or a telescope can enhance detail.

The article also notes that binoculars or a telescope can improve the experience and recommends practical tips such as avoiding light pollution and possibly checking livestreams or local observatories if skies are cloudy.

Observers are advised to survey the sky gradually, appreciate surrounding stars as the Moon dims, and note that this content originated from WIRED en Español and has been translated.

A free lunar eclipse viewing event is hosted by the Astronomy Club of Augusta and the DuPont Planetarium at the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center on the USC Aiken campus.

NASA and educational sources explain the mechanics of lunar eclipses—Earth blocking sunlight and atmospheric scattering shaping the color.

Weather outlooks vary by city, with some areas in New York State expecting showers or thunderstorms, potentially affecting visibility.