This Thursday night, for the first time in nearly two-and-a-half years, our planet's faithful companion is going to get fancy and put on a lovely shade of rouge. What once may have been interpreted as an omen of ill tidings is now a good excuse to step outside and marvel at the mechanics of nature.

Stargazers, get ready for the pale gray moon to transform into a copper-brown hue next week, and it should stick around longer than usual.

Earth’s shadow will block most of the light that illuminates the lunar surface, creating what is known as a blood moon.