Lunar Eclipse Tonight: How To Watch The Total Eclipse On June 15, 2011 (PHOTOS)

The first total lunar eclipse of 2011 is set to put on a spectacle for much of the world tonight, being the longest in nearly 11 years. But just because it isn't visible from North America, doesn't mean you won't be able to watch the lunar eclipse too.

(CLICK HERE for photos of the June 2011 lunar eclipse.)

According to the AP, the moment of totality -- when the Earth's shadow completely blocks the moon -- will last 1 hour and 40 minutes during tonight's lunar eclipse. The last time a lunar eclipse lasted as long was in July 2000, when totality occurred for just 7 minutes longer.

According to Space.com, the lunar eclipse will begin about 1:24 p.m. EDT (1724 GMT) and finish around 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT). The lunar eclipse will peak at 4:12 p.m. EDT (2012 GMT).

The entire lunar eclipse will be visible from the eastern half of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and western Australia, a NASA expert told the AFP. Europe will miss the beginning of the lunar eclipse because it will be below the horizon, but totality can be witnessed from across the continent except for northern Scotland and northern Scandinavia. Totality will also be visible from eastern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Eastern Asia, eastern Australia and New Zealand will miss the end of the lunar eclipse because the moon will have already set in those areas.

Despite not being visible from North America, anyone unable to see the lunar eclipse in their own sky can watch online. Sky Watchers Association Of North Bengal (SWAN) will be a doing a live webcast of the entire lunar eclipse.

According to the AP, the next total lunar eclipse will happen on December 10, though only certain parts of the U.S. including Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest will be able to see. For the rest of the U.S, the next total lunar eclipse won't be visible until April 15, 2014.

Check out some stunning photos of past lunar eclipses below.

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Total Lunar Eclipse

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This five picture combination shows various stages of a total lunar eclipse over Baghdad, Iraq, between 1:30-2:30am local time on March 4, 2007. Weather permitting, skygazers in North and Central America and a tiny sliver of South America will boast the best seats to this year's only total eclipse of the moon, scheduled for Dec. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

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This five picture combination shows various stages of a total lunar eclipse over Baghdad, Iraq, between 1:30-2:30am local time on March 4, 2007. Weather permitting, skygazers in North and Central America and a tiny sliver of South America will boast the best seats to this year's only total eclipse of the moon, scheduled for Dec. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic)

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Comments

[unifiedgroup]

03:50 PM on 07/08/2011

this is a great article. there are interesting and beautiful photos about eclipse, you can find information about s olar and lunar eclipse on http://eclipsedate.com

[cavekarst]

03:02 PM on 06/29/2011

My ancestors used solstice episodes to paint their flesh blue, run amuk with weapons,
and still evolved to be terribly English afterward. Why do I need more assistance?

[jocksdenver]

08:32 AM on 06/21/2011

A good story like this bears repeating! Let's see, watch the sky for this event (which occurred a week ago), review religious predictions (none of which took place as a result of the eclipse), step outside and don't see shadow, go back to bed for 30 more days of Lent,,,,,,,,,,,, is that about it?

Huffington recycles!

[Commensality]

05:17 PM on 06/18/2011

Reading some of the bizarre religious comments here, I am struck by how far science has taken us over the past few decades, yet how some people seem to be stuck in the dark ages. It's like the enlightenment never happened.

[leathrpaws]

11:03 AM on 06/17/2011

if the eclipse was n the 15th why is this still showing up?

[theobserver4]

10:56 PM on 06/15/2011

Why is this thread infested with religious zealots? Are these the same people who can't explain the tide?

[ancatdubh]

01:13 AM on 06/16/2011

"Never a miscommunication." :-)

[krowgrr]

09:34 PM on 06/15/2011

darn i missed it.

[Nicholas Andriole]

08:56 PM on 06/15/2011

It's a pleasure in reading or my computor reading too me while say morning breakfast. Anyway, with HUFFPOST GREEN.. Thank you for bring a POST too the internet that has so much more in news (up too the sec.) and beyond.

[Ammec Hdz Ech]

07:44 PM on 06/15/2011

I saw the most beautiful lunar eclipse in my life!
The blood moon held its color for over an hour. Perfect clear sky tonight in the middle east. :-)

[douttfire]

08:36 PM on 06/15/2011

Blood moon, eh? It's going to be HOT tomorrow! That's what my Mom always says: red moon, hot tomorrow. Stay indoors and drink lots of water. ;)

[nononsense4u]

10:05 PM on 06/15/2011

In the last days, the moon will turn to blood.....

[Counterintuitive]

12:34 PM on 06/16/2011

...because of all the air pollution.

[Atsaguy]

07:19 PM on 06/15/2011

Where did God come from?

[douttfire]

08:36 PM on 06/15/2011

God always existed.

[Atsaguy]

12:30 PM on 06/16/2011

Oh. Ok. Thanks.

[erehwon man]

07:09 PM on 07/03/2011

from the human mind

[tanamarie]

07:04 PM on 06/15/2011

Ooops, I missed it and nothing special happened.

[ellwood145]

05:39 PM on 06/15/2011

don't go out to night, it's bound to take your life, there's a bad moon on the rise. CCR BUY AMERICAN WHEN YOU FIND IT

[Alec Gormley]

05:24 PM on 06/15/2011

We are all one . One universe and everything in it is interconnected it is random but real..God Is. God will always be . God is pure. God gave us love can we love back and take care of his garden our planet.

[nononsense4u]

10:08 PM on 06/15/2011

Hey Read Revelation. The world is heading for MAJOR wars and Major Catastrophies Before the Garden of Eden is restored by Jesus Christ himself. NOTHING but his return will change anything. This world is sliding down to destruction on a greesed pole and Satan is pointing and laughing as he nets approximately 2 people per second and casts them into hell for all eternity!!! Where will you go?

[Alec Gormley]

12:39 AM on 06/16/2011

Judge not ...

[erehwon man]

07:07 PM on 07/03/2011

what's any of that drivel got to do with a simple lunar eclipse?

[forurby]

05:23 PM on 06/15/2011

Who cares about jobs when there's a lunar eclipse to see.

[woodnwire]

05:17 PM on 06/15/2011

tide comes in, tide goes out...you cant explain that.

[John Q Davis]

08:02 PM on 06/15/2011

lol