A near total lunar eclipse will be visible across much of North and South America on Thursday night, offering a spectacular celestial event for millions of observers. Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, casting a shadow on the moon’s surface. This phenomenon is different from a solar eclipse, where the moon blocks the sun. On Thursday, the eclipse will reach its peak when 96% of the moon is covered by Earth’s shadow, creating what is often called a "blood moon." The reddish hue of the moon during this time is caused by sunlight being refracted through Earth’s atmosphere, which scatters shorter wavelengths of light and allows longer red wavelengths to reach the moon’s surface. The eclipse will be most visible in the Americas, but parts of Europe and Africa will also have a chance to see it, depending on local time zones. The event will begin at approximately 9:23 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) and will reach its maximum around 10:33 pm EST. Unlike the lunar eclipse, earlier this month, a solar eclipse captured the attention of millions in Europe. During that event, the moon passed directly in front of the sun, briefly plunging parts of the continent into daylight darkness. Lunar eclipses are relatively common, occurring a couple of times each year, but they are often not visible from any one location. This particular eclipse is notable for its high level of coverage, making it one of the most dramatic in recent years. Observers will have the opportunity to witness the moon gradually darken as it moves into Earth’s shadow, with the reddish color becoming more pronounced as the eclipse progresses. For those unable to view the eclipse directly, many astronomy websites and social media platforms will offer live streams of the event. This provides an opportunity for people around the world to experience the beauty of the cosmos, even if they are not in a location where the eclipse is visible. The event serves as a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our solar system, and the fascinating ways in which celestial bodies interact with one another.