Supermoon Eclipse 2015: How, When, And Where To Watch The Rare Event This Weekend


This weekend will bring a very rare event as for the first time in more than three decades, a supermoon is going to be visible at the exact same time with a lunar eclipse. Yes, the supermoon eclipse is set to take place on Sunday, Sept. 27, and it is going to last almost exactly one hour and 12 minutes (200 minutes total). It will be visible to North and South America, Africa, parts of West Asia and the eastern Pacific, and Europe. Here is all the info you need on how to watch, where to see it, and when exactly to look for it.

A supermoon means that the moon is closest to the Earth, and this comes around about once every year. On this upcoming Sunday, the moon is going to be 31,000 miles closer to Earth than at its usual farthest point away.

Essentially, that means the supermoon will appear to be 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter in the sky above you than an apogee full moon.

According to NASA, the Earth’s shadow will begin to dim the supermoon a little bit right at 8:11 p.m. EDT. The shadow will truly be noticeable on the supermoon at 9:07 p.m. EDT. The total lunar supermoon eclipse will start at 10:11 p.m. EDT.

Typically twice a year, a lunar eclipse will occur and that is when the shadow of the Earth covers up the moon. This is when our planet comes between the sun and the moon. Noah Petro, a deputy project scientist at NASA, simply explains how rare the supermoon eclipse really is.

“It’s rare because it’s something an entire generation may not have seen.”

Petro is right on point because the last time that a supermoon lunar eclipse occurred was way back in 1982. For those that miss the one on Sunday, you will have to wait until 2033 to see it the next time it happens.

As Global News reports, this lunar eclipse will be happening during the Harvest Moon, and it is possible to see it take place at your own home if you’re in the right part of the world. You also don’t need to have any special equipment to see it either, but do hope that it is a clear night.

“The partial eclipse begins at 9:07 EDT (10:07 ADT; 8:07 p.m CDT; 7:07 p.m. MDT; 6:07 p.m. PDT), with totality beginning at 10:11 p.m. EDT (11:11 p.m. ADT; 9:11 p.m. CDT; 8:11 p.m. MDT; 7:11 p.m. PDT).”

Remember, the lunar eclipse is safe to watch, unlike the solar eclipse which can damage your eyes. As the moon enters totality to fully be covered, you will notice that it turns a copper color of sorts. That effect is due to the light filtered out and being refracted towards the moon.

“Totality ends at 11:23 pm EDT (12:23 a.m. Sept. 28 ADT Sept. 28; 10:23 p.m. CDT; 9:23 pm MDT; 8:23 pm PDT), with the second partial eclipse (as the moon slowly moves out of the shadow again) ending 12:27 a.m. on Sept. 28 (1:27 a.m. ADT; 11:27 p.m CDT; 10:27 p.m. MDT; 9:27 p.m. PDT).”

Hopefully, the weather will be good in your area and if so, those in the eastern half of North America will be able to watch every stage of the supermoon eclipse. In the West, the first partial stage of the eclipse will already be in progress by the time the moon rises in the east around sunset time.

You may want to take some time to be outside this weekend because if not, you’re going to hear all about a rare occurrence and not be able to experience it yourself again for close to 20 years. The supermoon lunar eclipse will be a sight to see, and now you know how, where, and when.

[Image via Getty Images – Anadolu Agency]

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