A total lunar eclipse visible from five continents will occur annually , beginning at 8:23pm EDT and ending two hours later . The eastern United States will get the best viewing , but it also will be visible to observers in South America , western Asia , Africa and the Antarctic . A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the shadow created by the Earth , blocking the suni 's light . Clouds, of course, could ruin the viewing at any location. The last total lunar eclipse visible over most of North America occurred in December 1982 , the next one will be in December 1992 . Total eclipse , when the entire moon is covered by the central part of the shadow , will begin at about 8 ##am and last one hour and 36 minutes .
A total lunar eclipse visible from five continents will occur annually , beginning at 8:23pm EDT and ending two hours later . The eastern United States will get the best viewing , but it also will be visible to observers in South America , western Asia , Africa and the Antarctic . A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes through the shadow created by the Earth , blocking the suni 's light . The last total lunar eclipse visible over most of North America occurred in December 1982 , the next one will be in December 1992 . Total eclipse , when the entire moon is covered by the central part of the shadow , will begin at about 8 ##am and last one hour and 36 minutes .