As the countdown to the year's first total lunar eclipse begins, here's what to know about the difference between a lunar eclipse and a solar eclipse.

The total lunar eclipse will be visible in New Jersey − and throughout the U.S. − on the night of March 13 into 14. The website Time and Date predicts the moon will complete all of the eclipse phases in 6 hours, 3 minutes.

A "Blood Moon" total lunar eclipse is set to bring a coppery glow to the sky early next Friday morning. How it works: ​When the Moon enters the darkest part of the Earth's shadow, it takes on a deep red-orange hue.