During a lunar eclipse, the moon turns red because that's the color of Earth's shadow. I like to pretend that the moon is angry about that flag we stabbed into it in 1969, but to each their own. There may also be a flash of turquoise at the beginning and end of the event, according to NASA. This happens when the light from the sun shines through Earth's ozone layer, which happens to absorb red light.
Here in Florida, the eclipse starts just before 9 p.m. and lasts until shortly after midnight. I wouldn't advise anyone to sit outside and watch the entire thing, since it's about as exciting as watching golf on ESPN.* I know it may seem like a good idea at the time, but the novelty wears off after the first hour or so. I'm probably just going to look at it sporadically — especially when the moon is at its reddest** — so that I can get the full effect without endlessly staring at the sky.
If you forget or just don't plan on going outside, Space.com has some neat photos of previous eclipses. Still, there's nothing like going out and seeing it for yourself, especially since the next one isn't until December 2010.
*Really, who watches that garbage?
**Specifically on commercial breaks during Project Runway.
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