Skies will be mostly clear in Ireland this evening providing Irish sky-gazers with an opportunity to see the first total eclipse of the moon of the 21st century.
Astronomers predict the total eclipse will be one of the most dramatic in recent years.
At 6.42 the moon will begin to darken as Earth moves between it and the sun. The moon will eventually turn reddish as light is refracted and filtered by the earth's atmosphere.
Dr Ian Elliott of Dunsink Observatory in Dublin told ireland.comthe eclipse will last for about 3 1/2 hours and will be visible over large areas of the planet.
A spokeswoman for Met Éireann said the eclipse would be visible in all parts of the country except south Munster and parts of south Leinster.
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She said the chances of seeing the spectacular event were "very good" especially in the north of the country. But she added clear skies would bring temperatures close to freezing.
At 6.42 p.m. the "bite" - the curved edge of the Earth's shadow - will gradually move across the moon's face until 7.50 p.m. when the whole lunar surface will be covered.
The moon will darken and, if the conditions are right, change colour from silver to orange or red.
Once the sight of a moon "turned to blood" was widely viewed as a portent of disaster or a sign gods were angry.
It is now known that during a lunar eclipse sunlight filtered and bent by the Earth's atmosphere can cause the moon to turn an orange or reddish colour.
This is because it has been nearly a decade since a major volcanic eruption threw dust into the upper atmosphere. As a result the air at high altitudes is especially transparent.
Additional reporting PA
