A lunar eclipse is set to make the Moon a deep red colour for over an hour next week.

The rare occurrence is due to the Earth passing directly between the Sun and the Moon, which casts a massive shadow over the lunar surface.

NASA has stated that this event can only occur during a ‘full Moon phase’ and no special equipment is needed to view it.

A lunar eclipse is set to make the Moon a deep red colour. Pic: WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images

The eclipse is set to take place on March 3, with the total phase lasting about 82 minutes.

This makes it one of the longest total eclipses that can be seen from the ground.

If the skies are clear, roughly six billion people will be able to witness the ‘Blood Moon‘.

The eclipse is set to take place on March 3. Pic: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images

However, it is unfortunately unlikely to be seen from Ireland due to the timing of the eclipse.

It will be visible in the evening from eastern Asia and Australia, throughout the night in the Pacific, and in the early morning hours in North and Central America, as well as far western South America.

NASA said: ‘The eclipse is partial in central Asia and much of South America. No eclipse is visible in Africa or Europe.’

It will not be visible in most parts of Europe. Pic: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images

During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon appears dark red or orange because Earth blocks most of the Sun’s light from reaching the Moon.

According to NASA, the light that does reach the lunar surface is filtered through a thick slice of Earth’s atmosphere.

It explained: ‘It’s as if all of the world’s sunrises and sunsets are projected onto the Moon.’

While there may be no ‘Blood Moon’ in Ireland next week, there are a number of other out-of-this-world events that are anticipated over the coming months.

For March 8, NASA has urged stargazers to look for a ‘conjunction’ of Venus and Saturn, as from Earth’s perspective, the two planets will appear close to each other in the sky.

However, they will still be very far away from each other in space.

Later in the year, Irish residents will have the opportunity to see the Moon in a deep red colour, as another eclipse takes place.

On the morning of Friday, August 28, a lunar eclipse will be visible and the Moon will change colour.

Stargazers will need to be up at around 5am to catch it, as 94% of the lunar surface will be covered by Earth’s shadow.