The first total lunar eclipse of the year will be visible in Vietnam this Friday. The eclipse will begin at 4:01 p.m. Hanoi time and end at 9:59 p.m. The Earth's shadow will engulf the moon at 7 p.m.

The first total lunar eclipse of the year will be visible in Vietnam this Friday.

The eclipse will begin at 4:01 p.m. Hanoi time and end at 9:59 p.m. The Earth's shadow 

will engulf the moon at 7 p.m.

Total lunar eclipse, also known as Blood Moon due to its crimson hue, occurs during a full moon when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned, with the Earth in the middle.

The phenomenon can be viewed anywhere from the side of the Earth experiencing night.

The eclipse this time will be visible in most of North America, South America, Asia and parts of Australia.

It is the third in a series of four in a row, known as a "tetrad." The first was on April 15, 2014. The second was in September 2014, the next is Friday and there will be one more, on September 28.

People from Vietnam won’t be able to view the one in September, but they can see a partial eclipse on August 8, 2017.

Hanoi club of astronomy lovers, Human and Space, said its members will gather to view the eclipse outside My Dinh Stadium. Anyone interested is also welcomed, it said.

Tran Van Long, vice chairman of the club, said people can observe with plain eyes, but they will gain better views with binoculars or telescopes.

They should avoid artificial light, he said