The world will witness its first total lunar eclipse of 2022 on Sunday when the Earth moves in between the sun and the full moon.

The phenomenon, wherein the Earth casts a giant shadow across the surface of the moon, paints the lunar surface with a striking reddish hue, which is why total lunar eclipses are often referred to as a blood moon.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s eclipse.

Also read | Scientists release 1st image of Sagittarius A*: All about the Milky Way’s supermassive black hole

When will the total lunar eclipse take place?

The total lunar eclipse will begin on May 15 at 10.28pm EDT (2.28am GMT, 7:58 am IST on May 16) and will reach its peak a little after midnight at 12.11am EDT.

The lunar eclipse will end at 1.55am EDT (5.55am GMT, 11:25am IST) on May 16.

How to watch the total lunar eclipse?

The total lunar eclipse will be visible to the naked eye: “That’s the great thing about lunar eclipses is that you require no other gear other than a passion and interest in being outside and a clear horizon,” NASA scientist Noah Petro told CNN.

Also read | Four astronauts from SpaceX return home with midnight splashdown

Where will the total lunar eclipse be visible from?

Parts of North America and Europe, and the entirety of Africa and South America will be able to witness the spectacular phenomenon first hand.

While the total lunar eclipse will be visible from Rome, Brussels, London, Paris, Havana, Johannesburg, Lagos, Madrid, Madrid, Santiago, Washington DC, New York, Guatemala City, Rio de Janeiro, and Chicago, among others, a partial eclipse can be observed from Ankara, Cairo, Honolulu, Budapest, and Athens.

Also read | Virgin Galactic delays launch of commercial spaceflight service to 2023

Livestreams:

India and Asia at large will miss out on the spectacle owing to its timing.

Luckily for astronomy enthusiasts, NASA will livestream the total lunar eclipse, with the stream scheduled to begin at 9.32pm EDT on May 15 (1.32am GMT, 7.02am IST on May 16).

When is the next total lunar eclipse?

The next total lunar eclipse of 2022 will take place on November 8, and will at least be partially visible from Asia, Australia, North America, parts of Europe, and the entirety of South America.