The shortest “blood moon” total lunar eclipse this century was observed by early-bird stargazers on Saturday morning.
At 6:16 a.m. EDT, the moon first entered the Earth’s shadow and was totally eclipsed for about five minutes beginning at 7:58 a.m., according to NASA. While the entire United States was able to see at least a partial eclipse, those west of the Mississippi River had the best views, uninterrupted by the sunrise.
This was the third lunar eclipse in a series of four known as a “tetrad,” following those in April and September last year. The final one of the series will occur on Sept. 28, 2015.
Want a primer on the “blood moon”? Read TIME Science Editor Jeffrey Kluger’s explanation of the phenomenon here.
See Photos of the Shortest Lunar Eclipse of the Century
![Blood moon over Pike Peak Colorado Springs The blood moon lunar eclipse sets behind Pikes Peak April 4, 2015 in Colorado Springs.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lunar-eclipse-blood-moon-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Lunar Eclipse Lights Up New Zealand Sky The blood moon lights up the sky during a total lunar eclipse on April 4, 2015 in Auckland.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lunar-eclipse-blood-moon-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Japan Lunar Eclipse The eclipse above cherry blossoms in Shiraishi city, Miyagi prefecture, Japan on April 4, 2015.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lunar-eclipse-blood-moon-02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Lunar eclipse in Australia The lunar eclipse seen from Melbourne, Australia on April 4, 2015.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lunar-eclipse-blood-moon-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Lunar eclipse in Australia The beginning of the total lunar eclipse seen from Canberra, Australia, on April 4, 2015.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lunar-eclipse-blood-moon-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
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