Lunar Eclipse Blood Moon Will Create Easter Weekend Spectacle in the Sky

Sky gazers can expect an incredible sight early Saturday morning.

ByABC News
April 3, 2015, 9:15 AM

— -- Early risers and people who plan to party until dawn -- take notice.

The United States has prime seats for a lunar eclipse set to take over the skies early Saturday morning, marking the third in a tetrad, a series of four eclipses.

The lunar spectacle will be the shortest in a century, lasting four minutes and 43 seconds.

The sky spectacle will be visible from all parts of the United States, with people in the eastern part of the country seeing the beginning stages of the partial eclipse before sunrise at 6:16 a.m. ET.

The total eclipse will be visible to people in the Western United States at 4:58 a.m. PT. At this time, the moon will turn a shade of blood red as it skims the outskirts of Earth's shadow.

The best part of all for the Easter weekend treat: No telescope is needed. If you're in an area with clear skies, all you'll need to do is step outside to enjoy the view.

If you find yourself hitting the snooze button, you'll have another chance to catch a lunar eclipse this year. The fourth and final in the tetrad is set for Sept. 28, 2015.