Full Lunar Eclipse Visible In Americas

Skywatchers across the Americas got a celestial light show Thursday night - the last full lunar eclipse of the millenium.

A total lunar eclipse occurs whenever the Earth moves between the sun and the full moon, casting its curved shadow across the moon.

This eclipse coincided with the harvest moon, the full moon closest to the first day of autumn. Crisp, dry fall weather can make it seem brighter and sharper than other full moons.

Saturn was positioned close in the sky to the moon. As the moonlight dimmed during the eclipse, Saturn was shined more brightly.

Kelly Beattie, senior editor of Sky & Telescope magazine, said lunar eclipses are an “equal opportunity event” that enable non-experts to see nature at its best without special gear.

The next total lunar eclipse will be in January 2000.