Supermoon Lunar Eclipse: When to Catch It Tonight
— -- A supermoon lunar eclipse will put on a show tonight -- marking the first time the spectacle has occurred in more than three decades.
A supermoon occurs when a full moon happens when it is at the closest point in its elliptical orbit around Earth, making the full moon appear up to 14 percent larger and brighter than usual. A lunar eclipse occurs when the moon passes into Earth's shadow, often turning a blood red color.
The coincidence of events is so rare it won't be seen again until 2033, making it a can't-miss event tonight for sky gazers. As an added bonus, it will appear in prime time for many in the United States, meaning there's no need to set your alarm for the middle of the night.
Earth's shadow will slightly dim the supermoon around 8:11 p.m. ET. The moon will pass through the dark part of Earth's shadow beginning at 9:07 p.m. ET. The total eclipse will begin a little more than an hour later at 10:11 p.m. ET, according to NASA.
For those who prefer to watch on their computer screens, NASA's live stream will begin at 8 p.m. ET from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and will also feature a live look from the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles.
