Total lunar eclipse tonight

A total lunar eclipse will take place on June 15, 2011. It is the first of two such eclipses in 2011, the second occurring on December 10, 2011.This will be a relatively rare central lunar eclipse where the center point of Earth's shadow passes across the Moon.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes behind the earth so that the earth blocks the sun's rays from striking the moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, there is always a full moon the night of a lunar eclipse. The type and length of an eclipse depend upon the Moon's location relative to its orbital nodes.

Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth. A lunar eclipse lasts for a few hours, whereas a total solar eclipse lasts for only a few minutes at any given place.

Source:  wikipedia

 If you are  new to the Astronomy World, visit the web for students and beginners and bring up-to-date: http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html