5 Things You Need to Know About Rare Supermoon/Lunar Eclipse

Supermoon is the unofficial term for “perigee,” when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its oval-shaped orbit, making it appear 14 percent bigger in the night sky. (Photo via Flickr/Creative Commons)

Skywatchers are in for a rare treat Sunday: a supermoon combined with a lunar eclipse. That hasn’t happened in more than 30 years, and it won’t happen again until 2033.

Here are five things you need to know:

1. What you’ll see: The supermoon makes the moon appear larger than it is, and the lunar eclipse makes it appear red.
2. When you’ll see the eclipse: According to NASA, the supermoon will begin to dim at 8:11 p.m. EDT. A shadow will fall over the moon starting at 9:07, with the total eclipse beginning at 10:11 and lasting for an hour and 12 minutes.
3. Where to view it: The Cranbrook Institute of Science is having a Lunar Eclipse Party Sunday. Places with dark skies also offer great viewing. If you’re willing to drive a bit, three Michigan state parks — Port Crescent State Park in Huron County, Lake Hudson Recreation Area in Lenawee County and Wilderness State Park in Emmet County — have legislatively protected dark sky preserves.
4. What makes the moon look so huge? “Supermoon” is the unofficial term for “perigee,” when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its oval-shaped orbit, making it appear 14 percent bigger in the night sky. (We’re actually in the middle of a cycle of three supermoons in a row. The first showed up Aug. 29, and the last will be Oct. 27.)
5. What is a lunar eclipse? A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the moon and the sun. The moon enters the Earth’s shadow, creating a reddish glow on the moon.

Learn More

• Rare Supermoon Lunar Eclipse Will Be The First In More Than 30 Years