The second total lunar eclipse of 2014 is set for Wednesday, October 8.
The eclipse will begin just after 4 a.m. EDT and continue until sunrise. The peak is estimated to start at 6:25 a.m.
The eclipse will be visible in pretty much the entire United States and the rest of North America, according to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
But it’s best seen from the Pacific Ocean and bordering regions.
“The entire October 8 eclipse is visible from the Pacific Ocean and regions immediately bordering it. The northwestern 1/3 of North America also witnesses all stages. Farther east, various phases occur after moonset. For instance, the Moon sets during totality from eastern Canada and the USA,” it explains.
“Observers in South America also experience moonset during the early stages of the eclipse. All phases are visible from New Zealand and eastern 1/4 of Australia - the Moon rises during the early partial phases from Australia’s west coast.
“Most of Japan and easternmost Asia catch the entire eclipse as well. Farther west in Asia, various stages of the eclipse occur before moonrise. None of the eclipse is visible from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.”
Experts say that the eclipse, which will bring a full moon turning a shade of celestial red, will be beautiful.
“It promises to be a stunning sight, even from the most light polluted cities,” NASA’s longtime eclipse expert Fred Espenak said in a statement.
“I encourage everyone, especially families with curious children, to go out and enjoy the event.”
The eclipse is the second of four consecutive total lunar eclipses, which are known as a tetrad.
The next eclipse is set for April 4, 2015, with the last of the tetrad happening on Septmber 28, 2015.
The last eclipse of 2014 will be a partial solar eclipse on October 23.
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