A partial lunar eclipse is set to take place over North America on Thursday night and early Friday morning.

As the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow it will cover 97% of the moon’s surface resulting in an impressive spectacle. Unlike a solar eclipse, the event will be long-lived. In fact, this will be the longest partial lunar eclipse since 1440.

Photo courtesy of NASA – As the Moon moves completely into the umbra, it turns a reddish-orange color.

Lunar eclipses only happen on the night of a full moon and November’s full moon will be the smallest full moon of the year, also known as a “micromoon.” A “micromoon” happens when the full moon is at a point in its orbit that takes it furthest from the earth or apogee. The micromoon appears about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer than when it is closest or what is called a supermoon.

November’s full moon has another nickname as well, the Beaver Moon.

The entire eclipse lasts around 6 hours, but onlookers do not need to stay up all night staring at the sky to enjoy the show.

The best time to look at the moon will be shortly after 2 a.m. MST when all but just a sliver of the moon will be in Earth’s dark inner shadow. Some of the darkest areas of the moon could appear to be a deep red or orange color around this time.

The eclipse officially starts at 11:02 p.m. MST slowing increasing until it reaches a maximum at 2:02 a.m. MST and comes to an end at 5:03 Friday morning.