The Moon put on a jaw-dropping show Thursday night into Friday morning, glowing a deep, eerie red as it slipped into Earth’s shadow during a total lunar eclipse. So,

A total lunar eclipse will turn the moon red this Thursday. It will be best seen in North and South America. No special equipment is needed.

Officially known as a total lunar eclipse, the phenomenon occurs when the Earth casts its shadow across the moon, turning it a rusty shade of red. In Portland, a partial eclipse began around 10 p.m. Thursday, reaching totality for about an hour before 12:30 a.m. But in classic Pacific Northwest style, cloudy skies demanded all the attention.