If you were awake during the early hours of Wednesday morning, you may have had the chance to look up at the night sky to see the blood moon. Just before dawn on Wednesday, the second lunar eclipse of the year took place and was easily seen in many parts of the country.

The eclipse began at 4:18 a.m. EST and the earth’s shadow completely covered the moon between 5:27 a.m. and 6:22 a.m.

A lunar eclipse is what happens when the moon passes behind the shadow of the earth. The moon usually misses the shadow, but a few times a year it passes through it and causes an eclipse.

Because the weather was fair and clear in most areas, the lunar eclipse was able to be seen in many other parts of the world as well as the United States, including Australia, western South America and parts of East Asia.

If you weren’t able to see the blood moon this morning, check out NASA’s website for a webcast that shows the process of a lunar eclipse and offers more information about it.

LIVE now: Watch our #LunarEclipse stream & ask us your #eclipse questions: http://t.co/tNun1AQgqO #bloodmoon pic.twitter.com/CFgAqemRKW

— NASA (@NASA) October 8, 2014

Still awake? Lunar Eclipse from 4am ET – sunrise. We're up now answering your questions: http://t.co/OeQaI8kWGA pic.twitter.com/iqCWlRTYi2

— NASA (@NASA) October 8, 2014

Blood moons may not happen often, but they are not as rare as most people think. Throughout history, blood moons have played a major part in the lives and traditions of many cultures. Some cultures fear blood moons and relate them to biblical prophecies of the end of the world.

Other cultures believe the blood moon is a bad omen and can mean war, famine or impending doom.

In the Celtic tradition, the blood moon was seen as a symbol of spiritual growth and appeared at a time when the veil between our world and the spirit world is at its thinnest.

Did you see the blood moon this morning and do you believe it brings good luck or is it a bad omen?