LUNAR ECLIPSE

A lunar eclipse on Wednesday is set to take hold of the skies and marvel not only astronomy fans out there but a general audience as well for its rarity.

Unlike solar eclipses that can be appreciated for a couple of minutes using eye protecting filters, this lunar eclipse will be a 1 hour and 40 minute spectacle in its totality phase with no real threat to the naked eye. It will be the longest lunar eclipse in 11 years.

The moon's color is expected to change from silver to orange and to red as it gradually moves into the Earth's shadow but can vary in tones depending on the amount of dust and clouds at the time of the eclipse.
Although the U.S. and Canada will have no chance to watch this phenomenal display this time, thanks to the Internet, live streaming services will be made available to avoid missing out in this event. According to National Geographic, the Earth's shadow will start to darken the moon around 2:22 p.m. EST.
The eclipse will be entirely viewable from eastern Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Western Australia.
The next lunar eclipse is set to occur on December 20, 2011, and will not be visible from the U.S. either. The next visible lunar eclipse visible from the U.S. is staged for April 15, 2014.