A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from New Zealand shores tonight, but stargazers will require a keen eye to spot it.
Tonight's event coincides with March's full moon dubbed the 'worm moon', so-called due its proximity to the spring equinox which signals the emergence of earthworms in the Northern Hemisphere.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the sun, Earth and moon line up, with the moon in the Earth's shadow.
Stardome Observatory astronomer Josh Aoraki told 1News there will be a partial lunar eclipse partially visible to Kiwis tonight and described how the Earth's shadow affects the appearance of the moon.
"The umbra is the inner part of the shadow in which the sun is completely blocked, whereas in the penumbra the sun is only partially covered.
"If the moon passes through the umbra, it turns red and we know this as a total lunar eclipse.
"However, in this instance, the moon will pass through the penumbra and will only be partially blocked."
Aoraki said the moon would appear "visibly darker" on the upper right side when it rises on Monday evening.
"This is not as noticeable as a total lunar eclipse and most stargazers will not even perceive any difference in the moon."
Only part of the partial eclipse will be visible from New Zealand as the moon will be rising when the eclipse is already in progress, he said.
"For those who want to try and see this, the best viewing will be clear skies with an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon."
The March 25 penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible from across the world, with North and South America, Europe, East Asia, and Australia all able to witness the moon darkening.
The moon will rise at 7.20pm tonight and the eclipse will be over by 10.30pm.
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