http://www.space.com/spacewatch/total-lunar-eclipse-moon-observing-tips-101215.htmlA total lunar eclipse set to take place next Monday night and Tuesday morning (Dec. 20-21) will be well-placed for observers across North America to catch a view.
On the East Coast, it begins half an hour after midnight on Tuesday; on the West Coast, it begins around 9:30 p.m. PST Monday. In all cases, the whole eclipse will be observable before the moon sets in the west just as the sun is rising in the east. Maximum eclipse is at 3:17 a.m. EST/12:17 a.m. PST.
During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth gets between the full moon and the sun, blocking the sun's light from bouncing off the lunar surface. Although lunar eclipses occur fairly frequently, usually at the rate of about two a year, they often hold surprises.