A total lunar eclipse will be visible across the country Tuesday

SEATTLE (KOMO) — Not only is Tuesday Election Day, but people from coast to coast across the U.S. will have the opportunity to see a total lunar eclipse.

The eclipse will happen in the early morning hours Tuesday, Nov. 8.

A lunar eclipse happens on a full moon when the path of the moon's orbit takes it into the earth's shadow, shielding it from the sun. The light from all the sunrises and sunsets on Earth is cast on the moon, giving it a temporary reddish color.

The next total lunar eclipse visible across the U.S. won't be until March 14, 2025, NASA officials said. Though there will be opportunities to see partial and penumbral lunar eclipses between now and then.

ECLIPSE TIMELINE (all times in EST)

• At 4:09 a.m., the eclipse will begin with the moon falling into the earth's shadow. The moon may appear slightly darker in this phase.
• At 5:16 a.m., the total eclipse begins! This is when the moon will be fully red! While those on the East Coast won't get the full vibrance of the blood-red hue like the western U.S., if the weather cooperates, a fully red shade should still be visible.
• At 5:59 a.m., the eclipse will be at its max for our area. BEWARE: The moon will be close to the horizon at this point, so you will need to look west/northwest from a high spot or with an unobstructed view of the horizon.
• At 6:41 a.m., the total phase will end. The moon is falling beneath the horizon at this point.
• By 6:46 a.m., the moon will be totally below the horizon.