Adam Tamburin

atamburin@tennessean.com

Amateur astronomers in Middle Tennessee eager to see tonight's lunar eclipse are probably out of luck, at least until October.

Cloudy skies hanging over the Nashville area today won't clear up until Tuesday morning, well after the "blood moon" has faded away.

"It looks like we're going to be completely clouded out," said Rocky Alvey, director of the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory in Brentwood.

Dyer was set to open late tonight to allow visitors a chance to catch a closer glimpse of the eclipse, which leaves the full moon in a deep copper shadow. Those plans have been scrapped due to the forecast.

It won't take long for Middle Tennesseans to get another chance to see the "blood moon," though. The next lunar eclipse is expected on Oct. 8.

"October's usually a very clear month," Alvey said. "We'll shoot for that one."

If you still want to set your alarm in hopes you'll see a quick view between clouds tonight, Alvey said the eclipse will probably start around 11:30 p.m.

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.