Blink and you missed it! Partial lunar eclipse spotted over Minnesota

The first of two lunar eclipses visible in the U.S. this year happened this morning, but Minnesotans had to have a keen eye to catch it.

USA Today reports that the total phase of the eclipse lasted only about five minutes – the shortest lunar eclipse of the century.

The eclipse happened just before 7 a.m. Central Time, with Minnesotans seeing the majority of the moon covered by Earth's shadow from the sun, turning it into a blood red, with the uncovered part tinged with pink.

For the best capture we've seen this morning, check out this picture of the moon over Minneapolis from photographer Jim Gallop.

The view of the eclipse varied across the country, Space.com notes, because the moon was setting as it took place, with those on the West coast getting a much better view than those on the East coast.

The total eclipse was visible to those living in eastern Australia, Oceania and western North America, with the rest of the United States seeing a partial eclipse.

FOX 9 reports that it reached around 95 percent coverage in Minnesota as the moon set.

The next chance for stargazers to catch a lunar eclipse this year will be Sept. 28.

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