Everything you need to know about tonight's rare blood moon eclipse

Source: Evening Standard.co.uk

Here's how to catch the best glimpse of the Blood Moon - The longest eclipse of the 21st Century

Cross your fingers and hope the rain stays away!

Because one of the rarest lunar events of the 21st Century is happening tonight.

The blood moon is a rare celestial event in which Earth appears in a straight line between the moon and the sun.

The shadow of Earth’s atmosphere filtered through sunlight appears as a red sheen on the surface of the Moon, cool right?!

In fact, it will actually be the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century to date, lasting one hour, 42 minutes and 57 seconds.

However, we here in Ireland will not be able to catch the start as the moon will still be below the horizon.

A partial eclipse will be visible for almost four hours though. And, unlike a solar eclipse, the lunar event can be viewed without wearing protective eyewear.

David Moore of Astronomy Ireland told the Irish Times that the eclipse would “unfortunately be half over” before the moon rose here.

Here's when it'll go down

From 9.30pm to 10.15pm you'll be able to see the moon in the south east.

Then from 10.15pm to 11.20pm, the moon will be seen coming out of Earth’s shadow.

After that, Mars – which is also red – would be visible just below the moon at its closest in 35 years, Mr Moore said.

All this is depending on those pesky clouds staying away though! Here's hoping they do.