Friday's total lunar eclipse will be the longest lunar eclipse of the century, Business Insider noted.
On July 27 and the early hours of July 28, stargazers in the Eastern Hemisphere will see the full moon turn blood red in the sky as it passes through Earth's innermost shadow.
At least twice a year Earth lines up directly between the sun and moon, blocking the light from the sun and casting its shadow onto the moon.
This is what is called a lunar eclipse, according to NASA, and while these events are always astonishing, this week's one is of particular interest because it will last for an hour and 43 minutes, with partial eclipse to continue for another three hours and 55 minutes, Business Insider said.
Adding to the excitement, the lunar eclipse coincides with Earth passing between the sun and Mars, placing the red planet at opposition in our sky and making it visible to the naked eye, according to Earthsky.
Both phenomena will be most visible in India, China, parts of Russia, Southeast Asia, Egypt, and across Africa on July 27 and 28, according to NASA.
North Americans won't be able to see this eclipse. It also won't be visible in most of the Arctic and many areas of the Pacific Ocean but South Americans can see the partial final stages after sunset July 27.
The total eclipse will begin at 7:30 p.m. UTC, and end at 9:13 p.m. UTC, Business Insider noted, while the peak of the eclipse will occur at 8:22 p.m. UTC.
There may also be a few shooting stars whizzing by, AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada said.
He explained that the Delta Aquariids meteor shower is expected to peak on July 30 but, because the total lunar eclipse would block out natural light pollution, sky gazers in the southern and northern hemispheres may get a chance to see more of the dimmer meteors in the days before that.
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