A blue moon, supermoon, blood moon and lunar eclipse will combine on January 31 giving way to what NASA is calling the ‘super blue blood moon’.
Tonight is the last in a ‘supermoon trilogy’ – the first one was in December, followed by the ‘Wolf Moon’ supermoon on January 1.
Australia, New Zealand and eastern Asia look set to get the best views, while much western Europe and Africa will miss out entirely.
Western portions of the US will be treated to nearly the whole spectacle, though results will deteriorate further towards the east coast.
ECLIPSE 2018 LIVE UPDATES: WATCH SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON
What time is the Super Blue Blood Moon in Canada? When is the best time to watch the lunar eclipse?
Viewers in western Canada will be treated to the total eclipse from start to finish.
Canadians living in the west – in British Colombia and the Northwest Territories – will have the best chance to view the eclipse in its entirety – the best times to view the eclipse in these areas are listed above under Pacific Standard Time.
The eclipse will begin at 3.48am on the West Coast, with the total eclipse beginning at 4.51am and ending at 5.29am.
In the east the eclipse will begin at 5.51am on Wednesday January 31 and the remainder of Canada will get to witness a partial lunar eclipse.
The lunar eclipse’s totality will last for hours, in comparison to a solar eclipse, which only lasts for minutes.
NASA scientist Noah Petro has offered some of his top tips for viewing lunar eclipses, ahead of this morning’s long-awaited blood moon.
He told Space.com: “The real best place for people to go is in their backyard, or get together with friends, or any place you might be able to have a clear view of the western sky.
“Obviously, being near a large city, you get a beautiful view of the moon setting behind huge buildings.
“But in general if you want to see the whole event unfold you want to be away from tall buildings, bright lights, trees, things like that. You want to have a clear view of the western horizon.”
NASA program executive Gordon Johnston said: “For the continental US, the viewing will be best in the West. Set your alarm early and go out and take a look.
“Weather permitting, the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii will have a spectacular view of totality from start to finish.”
Dr Gregory Brown said the eclipse will “definitely not be visible from the UK, not even a partial eclipse”.
But he claimed the optimum time to view the UK’s super blue moon will be around 12.40am, when the moon is at its highest.
NASA will be broadcasting the entire eclipse live online for those who are not able to see it in the night sky.