Longest Lunar Eclipse in a decade (videos)

On June 15, the full moon will turn a deep red for most of the planet – when the longest lunar eclipse in a decade will take place.

Starting at 2:20 p.m. EDT today, the Earth will pass between sun and the moon, casting a ruddy orange glow across the shiny, meteorite-battered lunar surface.

The 100-minute-long celestial event will be spotted best from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

During the June 2011 lunar eclipse, scientists will be able to get a unique view of the moon. While the sun is blocked by the Earth, LRO’s Diviner instrument will take the temperature on the lunar surface. Since different rock sizes cool at different rates, scientists will be able to infer the size and density of rocks on the moon.