Upcoming Lunar Eclipses

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth lines up in a straight line between the Sun and the Moon.  Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the surface of the Moon and a shadow is cast for an hour or so depending on whether the eclipse is a partial or full eclipse.  For further details on eclipses, check the following previous post.  

Lunar Phases vs Lunar Eclipses

When is the next lunar eclipse?  A great source for eclipses is the following website setup by NASA.

Lunar Eclipses - NASA

This site has a listing of eclipses going out several decades in the future.  The next lunar eclipse on Earth is on October 8, 2014.  If you live in the western U.S. you'll be in a great location to observe the eclipse in totality.  However, the farther east you go, the less impressive this eclipse will be.  The eclipse will occur near moonset and may only be in the partial eclipse stage when it sets.  Those living in the eastern U.S. will have to wait until September 28, 2015 to see a total lunar eclipse.