Near-total lunar eclipse is coming up with the Americas in prime position

A near-total lunar eclipse is set to occur in the Americas, providing a unique opportunity for billions to witness the event. The eclipse will cover almost the entire moon, with 96% of its surface obscured, making it one of the most spectacular eclipses of the year. The event will take place from Thursday night into Friday, with the moon passing between the Earth and the sun, casting a reddish-orange shadow. NASA's Artemis II astronauts will have the chance to observe the eclipse from space, with seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station and three aboard China's orbiting outpost. The eclipse will be visible to nearly 1 billion people in the U.S., Canada, and Central and South America, as well as to 3 billion people across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The partial eclipse will last more than three hours, with the full moon entering the Earth's shadow and leaving after 5 ½ hours. The eclipse will peak just after midnight EDT. The event is the second act of the greatest show in the solar system, following a total solar eclipse that passed through Greenland, Iceland, and Spain.

• The lunar eclipse will cover 96% of the moon's surface.
• The eclipse will be visible to nearly 1 billion people in the U.S., Canada, and Central and South America.
• The eclipse will be visible to 3 billion people across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
• The partial eclipse will last more than three hours.
• The full moon will enter and leave the Earth's shadow over 5 ½ hours.
• The eclipse will peak just after midnight EDT.

This eclipse is the year's second lunar eclipse and the fourth overall. A total lunar eclipse occurred in the Americas, Australia, and eastern Asia in March. The next complete lunar blackout will not occur until New Year's Eve 2028, with Asia and Australia at center stage. The next full lunar eclipse will not be seen by North and South Americans until 2029.

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