The Earth's shadow will creep slowly across the surface of the Moon early Tuesday, culminating in a total eclipse.

If weather conditions are favorable, the eclipse will be visible in North and South America.

East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands will also be able to view it if skies are clear.

The eclipse will begin at 0851 UTC and end at 1224 UTC. Sunrise will end the show for people in eastern North and South America. In east Asia, the moon will rise in various stages of eclipse.

An eclipse occurs when the Earth passes between the sun and the moon, blocking the sun's light. During the full eclipse, the moon will not be completely dark because some light still reaches it around the edges of the Earth.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.