On May 26, Wednesday, all eyes will be on the skies on Wednesday, May 26, for an extra special lunar spectacle, or "super moon," according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The first total lunar eclipse in two years is happening at the same time as the moon is closest to Earth, in what astronomers say will be a once-in-a-decade show.

The eclipse will begin at 4:47 p.m. and will end at 9:49 p.m. In Manila, the moon will rise at 6:14 p.m. on May 26 and will set at 4:49 a.m. on May 27, Pagasa said.

The total lunar eclipse will also be seen in South Asia, East Asia, Australia, most of North America, South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Antarctica.

However, the greatest eclipse, which is when the moon becomes completely immersed in Earth’s dark umbral shadow, happens at 7:18 p.m. (PhST).

The moon often does not totally disappear during a total lunar eclipse. Instead, it can be seen as a very dark red color because of the refraction of sunlight through the Earth’s atmosphere.

Lunar eclipses are safe to watch and observers need not use any kind of protective filters for the eyes, Pagasa said.          

However, using a pair of binocular will help magnify the view and will make the red coloration of the moon brighter, it added.

Here are the major phases of the total lunar eclipse:

- Penumbral eclipse begins at 4:47 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time or PhST)

- Partial eclipse begins at 5:44 p.m. (PhST)

- Greatest eclipse at 7:18 p.m. (PhST)

- Partial eclipse ends at 8:52 p.m. (PhST)

- Penumbral eclipse ends at 9:49 p.m. (PhST)