Eclipse should be visible despite clouds

21:24 AEST Sat Dec 10 2011

Stargazers in NSW can expect a partly cloudy night as they await Saturday night's total lunar eclipse.

Watch the lunar eclipse LIVE tonight from Sydney Observatory

Chris Webb, from the Weather Bureau, said the eclipse should be at least partly visible from midnight to about 3am (AEDT) Sunday.

"There will be some clouds, some clear sky," Mr Webb told AAP.

"But there will be breaks in the cloud through the night."

The entire moon will turn red as it slips into the earth's darkest shadow.

The Sydney Observatory is hosting a late night viewing, which will be broadcast live on ninemsn.

The eclipse will be visible throughout Australia.

Stargazers will have to wait until 2014 for a repeat performance of the celestial spectacular, visible only in Australia, New Zealand and parts of Asia.