In the early hours of Tuesday morning, or sooner, those living in the Americas can expect to see the long awaited and much anticipated viewing of what is known as the "blood moon."

To the astronomer, this event is simply known as a total lunar eclipse (when the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, which can only occur during a full Moon). To some Christians, Jews and other religious folks in the community, it is more than just light from the Sun being bent by Earth's atmosphere, casting the Moon in a red or orange color.

Some Christians and Jews attribute the event of the Blood Moon to prophecy, because it will be the first of a lunar "Tetrad" (four total lunar eclipses in a row, occurring in 2014 and 2015),  and because each of those eclipses falls on an important Jewish holiday, Passover or Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles).

According to local Cheyenne Rabbi - Roger Rousseau, "It's mentioned about 66 times in the Bible and it's been going on and lining up with biblical holy days according to Leviticus 23 for the last 2,000 years."

Tonight and early tomorrow morning is the first of four viewings of the blood moon.
The other expected dates are Oct. 8, 2014, April 4, 2015, and Sept. 28, 2015.

So, whether this is a religious event for you, an astronomical phenomenon or just something really cool to observe, you'll not want to miss this opportunity to see nature at her best.

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