‘Blood moon’ lunar eclipse will cross U.S. Thursday, just weeks after solar eclipse — here’s when to watch

Two weeks after a total solar eclipse wowed skywatchers in Europe, a near-total lunar eclipse is in store Thursday for people in North and South America.

Two weeks after a total solar eclipse wowed skywatchers in southern Europe, a near-total lunar eclipse is set to put on a show Thursday night for people across North and South America.

Lunar eclipses occur when Earth slips between the sun and the moon and casts a shadow on the lunar surface. During this week’s event, nearly the entire moon — 96.2% at the eclipse’s peak — will be shrouded in Earth’s shadow.

Weather permitting, skywatchers in the continental U.S. will have some of the best views. The eclipse will also be visible elsewhere in North America, South America, parts of Europe and Africa.

During the eclipse, Earth’s shadow will appear reddish orange on the lunar surface because of the way Earth’s atmosphere scatters light from the sun. That’s why a total lunar eclipse is also known as a “blood moon.”

Thursday’s eclipse will begin at 9:23 p.m. ET, when the moon first enters the outer part of Earth’s shadow. The real action gets underway, however, at 10:33 p.m. ET, when Earth’s shadow starts to envelop the lunar surface, appearing to take a “bite” out of the lunar disk.