Partial Lunar Eclipse on Thursday Night Is the Longest in 580 Years

This picture taken on June 15, 2011 in the National Park of the volcano Teide (3718m of altitude) shows the moon during a lunar eclipse, on the Spanish canary island of Tenerife. DESIREE MARTIN/AFP via Getty Images

A partial lunar eclipse overnight on Thursday will be the longest one in more than 500 years, according to astronomers.

The event’s total duration is expected to last 3 hours and 28 minutes, the longest in about 580 years, confirmed the Holcomb Observatory in Indianapolis and other astronomers this week.