Observers in the western hemisphere will be treated to a total lunar eclipse tonight and it may be just dark enough to see a few shooting stars.

This is the first total lunar eclipse in nearly three years, and it occurs on the Winter Solstice.

What makes this eclipse so special is the moon will ride high in the sky will be seen from coast to coast.

The eclipse should begin about four and a half hours after the moon rises (or, about 10:30 p.m. in the Mountain time zone). The total eclipse is at 12:40 a.m. and lasts about an hour and 13 minutes.

The moon will be completely covered by the Earth’s shadow -- the Sun being directly behind the Earth at that time.

There is also the possibility of a shooting star or two as we continue to pass through the Geminid (GEM-in-id) Meteor Shower. Ordinarily, during a full moon, it’s too bright to see shooting stars but because the skies may be dark enough again for a bit to permit stargazers see some.

A lunar eclipse on the date of the solstice, is unusual. The last one was December 21 in 1638.