The moon will be completely cloaked by the earth's shadow for nearly two hours today, providing serious and amateur stargazers with a rare and beautiful sight. While this eclipse will be the longest to appear in the decade, lunar eclipses are a fairly regular occurence. Below are some photos of past eclipses. To read where to watch the eclipse and the best times to do so, click here.

Why would Wednesdays lunar eclipse turn the moon blood-red
The Moon is engulfed in the Earth's shadow during the peak of a rare winter solstice total lunar eclipse as viewed through a telescope from Palm Beach Gardens December 21, 2010. REUTERS/DOUG MURRAY
eclipse
The shadow of the Earth falls across the face of the Moon above New York during a full lunar eclipse December 21, 2010. The eclipse is the first to coincide with the Winter Solstice since 1638. REUTERS
eclipse
Chinese lanterns are seen against the backdrop of a partial solar eclipse in Singapore January 26, 2009. Coinciding with Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, a solar eclipse made its way across Southeast Asia, much of it over the sea. REUTERS
eclipse
The moon is seen during a partial lunar eclipse from the Macedonian capital Skopje, August 17, 2008. REUTERS
eclipse
The moon is seen during a lunar eclipse in Bucharest February 21, 2008 REUTERS
eclipse
The moon is seen, during a phase of a total lunar eclipse, from a viewpoint in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 21, 2008. REUTERS
Space Eclipse