Lunar Eclipse Viewed in Portions of East Texas

TYLER (AP/STAFF) – Some in East Texas were able to witness a lunar eclipse Saturday morning. Clouds cleared out in the Tyler area so the eclipse was visible in Smith County. The total eclipse of the moon lasted only a short time, but it still dazzled. Early risers in the western U.S. and Canada should have been able to catch a glimpse before dawn Saturday. The moment when the moon was completely obscured by Earth’s shadow lasted several minutes, making it the shortest lunar eclipse of the century. The total eclipse was unusually brief because the moon passed through the upper part of Earth’s shadow. Longer eclipses occur when the moon passes through the middle of the shadow. The next total lunar eclipse occurs in September.