Mark your calendars, a rare supermoon lunar eclipse is COMING
If you keep your eyes peeled later this month, you’ll be in for a big surprise, as a supermoon eclipse is highlighting the night’s sky for the first time in 30 years. Here’s what you need to know.
For North and South America, NASA reports the supermoon eclipse will be visible during the night of Sept. 27 and on the morning of the 28th in Europe, regions of Central Asia, Africa, and Europe.
If you miss it the supermoon and a lunar eclipse combo — the phenomenon that makes the moon look up to 4% larger and 30% brighter because it’s at the closest point to earth — you won’t be able to catch it for another 20 years.
Fortunately, TimeandDate.com has us covered, and provided more details on what is the best time to see this event: The West Coast and Canada (Vancouver) will be able to view the moon around 7:15-8:15 p.m.; the East Coast and select South American cities (Rio) can look up at the night’s sky at around 11:15 p.m. and 12:15 a.m., respectively; and Europe (London) and Africa (Cape Town) will be have to stay up as late as 3:45 am and 4:45 am on the 28th.
So, what’s the science behind this rare phenomena? Well, three things have to happen in sync. One, a full moon has to be in effect, something that occurs every month. Secondly, the moon has to be at the closest point to the earth, which causes the moon to look bigger, which is called a supermoon. Lastly, the time in September when the moon’s orbit is closest to earth (perigee) will coincide when the moon comes into contact with the Earth’s shadow, or a lunar eclipse.
So get your binoculars and blankets ready —rad things will be happening in the sky at the end of the month.
(Image via iStock)