Total lunar eclipse in NZ skies

New Zealanders will get a rare opportunity to observe a total lunar eclipse in their skies early on Sunday morning.
The eclipse, which happens when the Moon is obscured as it passes through the Earth’s shadow, will begin just after 12:30am and be visible wherever skies are clear. The period of total eclipse lasts for less than an hour, from just after 3am to just before 4am.
Observatories around the country will host special events to allow the public to observe this phenomenon through powerful telescopes. In Auckland a large crowd is expected to gather at Stardome Observatory & Planetarium where the public are invited to participate in viewing the event between 12am and 6am for a gold coin donation.