A total lunar eclipse, seen in Charlotte, US. File image. Photo: Anadolu Agency via AFP
The last total lunar eclipse - or blood moon - until 2025 will be visible from New Zealand skies tonight.
From around 11.15pm, the lunar eclipse will turn the moon red, lasting about 85 minutes.
A lunar eclipse happens when the moon travels through Earth's shadow.
If the Moon only partly makes it into the shadow, that's a partial eclipse. In a total eclipse, the moon becomes fully immersed and takes on a reddish/orange glow.
A lunar eclipse from May 2021. Photo: supplied
But viewing the lunar eclipse in all its glory will depend on the weather - and some parts of Aotearoa may not have a clear enough night.
Both Auckland and Northland could be covered in cloud.
According to MetService, both regions were in for cloud and rain into the evening and overnight.
Whangārei had a heavy rain watch in place - with the chance of thunder and downpours earlier in the day.
MetService said there was also possibility of cloud in Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Waitomo to Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson, Buller and Westland appeared fine.
However, if it is too cloudy to see, NASA has a live stream available online.
One among the planets
Not only will the lunar eclipse be visible tonight, but planets and stars will appear brighter than usual.
Bright Jupiter and Saturn will be easy to spot high overhead, above the eclipsed Moon.
Later in the evening, all viewers will be able to spot the constellation of Taurus rising in the north-east - with the lovely star cluster Pleiades and the red giant star Aldebaran - along with Orion and its red supergiant Betelgeuse.
Mars will also make an appearance. New Zealanders could be well-placed to see four red objects in the sky together: The eclipsed Moon, Aldebaran, Betelgeuse and Mars low to the horizon.
The total lunar eclipse will occur around 11.15pm tonight. File image. Photo: By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Scott Taylor [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
According to NASA, the next lunar eclipse will not occur until 14 March 2025.
However, partial lunar eclipses will still be visible during that time.
To view the eclipse, no special equipment was necessary - but binoculars or a telescope would enhance the view and colour of the eclipse, NASA said.
"A dark environment away from bright lights makes for the best viewing conditions," it said.
- The Conversation/with RNZ
