A dramatic total lunar eclipse is set to wash the moon in a deep coppery red, offering skywatchers across several continents a rare and eerie spectacle. The event will unfold over several hours, with the most striking phase, known as totality, lasting for about an hour.

Observers in North America, Central America and the western edge of South America will have front-row seats on Tuesday morning, when the full moon slips entirely into Earth’s shadow. In Australia and eastern Asia, the same event will be visible on Tuesday night, rising already darkened or turning red as it climbs higher in the sky.

Much of South America and parts of Central Asia will witness a partial eclipse, as if cosmic bites have been taken out of the lunar disk. Africa and Europe, however, will miss out this time, with the moon either below the horizon or the timing simply out of sync with local night skies.

Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, Earth and moon line up precisely, with Earth in the middle. According to NASA, between four and seven solar and lunar eclipses take place somewhere on the planet each year, often arriving in closely spaced pairs. This total lunar eclipse follows shortly after a striking “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse that traced a path across remote southern latitudes.

During totality, the moon does not vanish. Instead, it glows red because sunlight skims through Earth’s atmosphere, which filters out bluer wavelengths and bends the remaining reddish light into the planet’s shadow. That refracted light paints the lunar surface in shades ranging from rusty orange to brick red, depending on atmospheric conditions such as dust, pollution or volcanic ash.

Space educators note that no special equipment is needed to enjoy the show. Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye, binoculars or a small telescope. The key is a clear, unobstructed view of the sky and an accurate timetable.

Skywatchers are advised to consult a local forecasting app or celestial calendar to pinpoint when the partial and total phases will be visible from their location, then step outside periodically to watch Earth’s shadow creep across the moon and transform it into a glowing blood-red orb.