It’s not often that we get a chance to see our planet’s shadow, but a lunar eclipse gives us a fleeting glimpse.

During these rare events, the full Moon rapidly darkens and then glows red as it enters the Earth’s shadow.

Though a lunar eclipse can be seen only at night, it’s worth staying up to catch the show.

Sky gazers caught a glimpse of the “blood moon” crossing the Earth’s shadow Tuesday in all its splendor.

The moon took on a reddish hue as it appeared in different phases between 2 and 4:30 a.m. ET.

In North and South America, where the blood moon was most prominent, observers pointed at the spectacle with binoculars, telescopes and cellphones.

Check out NASA’s explanation of the phenomena, below.

Courtesy NASA Goddard

– NZ Herald/NASA