Possible cloudy skies aside, people across Ireland will have the chance to witness the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century this evening.
As it lines up with the earth and sun, the rising full moon will darken and change from silver to rusty or blood red - hence the moniker, blood moon.
Our ancestors once viewed the blood moon with fear, believing it heralded a period of disaster. Adding to the spectacle, Mars will appear directly below the blood moon at close to its maximum brightness.
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The eclipse is set to begin at around 9.20pm tonight and will last for just over three hours, finishing at around 12.30am on tomorrow morning. Cloud cover will impede viewing in some areas. Unlike a solar eclipse, the blood moon and Mars can be viewed safely without the use of any eye protection.