The rare Blood Moon total lunar eclipse started lighting up the sky late Thursday with a bright full Moon. Why it matters: It's the only lunar eclipse visible from the U.S. this year and the first total lunar eclipse since November 2022.

Earth’s shadow will block most of the light that illuminates the lunar surface, creating what is known as a blood moon.

Anyone who misses out on the "blood moon" will have to wait quite a while as another total lunar eclipse won't be visible in the U.S. until March 3, 2026, NASA said. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.