The shortest “blood moon” total lunar eclipse this century was observed by early-bird stargazers on Saturday morning.
At 6:16 a.m. EDT, the moon first entered the Earth’s shadow and was totally eclipsed for about five minutes beginning at 7:58 a.m., according to NASA. While the entire United States was able to see at least a partial eclipse, those west of the Mississippi River had the best views, uninterrupted by the sunrise.
This was the third lunar eclipse in a series of four known as a “tetrad,” following those in April and September last year. The final one of the series will occur on Sept. 28, 2015.
Want a primer on the “blood moon”? Read TIME Science Editor Jeffrey Kluger’s explanation of the phenomenon here.
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