The Moon Is Going To Be Big And Red AF This Sunday
This Sunday you might be able to witness the first one since 1982. Don't miss it, the next one won't be until 2033.
On Sunday, September 27, much of the world will have a chance to witness a "supermoon lunar eclipse."
This super-rare event happens when a lunar eclipse occurs at the same time as a supermoon.
A supermoon is a full moon that occurs when the Moon is closest to Earth.
The orbit of the Moon is not a perfect circle, so sometimes it is closer to Earth than at other times. At its closest, it is 31,000 miles closer than its furthest distance. This Sunday will be the closest full moon of the year. According to NASA, the Moon can appear up 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter when it is at its closest point.
A luner eclipse happens when Earth gets inbetween the Sun and the Moon, blocking direct light. This gives the moon a reddish hue.
According to NASA, lunar eclipses typically occur at least twice a year. 228 will occur in the 21st century alone.
The last time both of these events happened at the same time was 1982, when Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer may have looked a lot different:
Then
Now
~Computer generated reconstruction~
According to NASA: "Earth’s shadow will begin to dim the supermoon slightly beginning at 8:11 p.m. EDT. A noticeable shadow will begin to fall on the moon at 9:07 p.m., and the total eclipse will start at 10:11 p.m."
The total eclipse will last one hour and 12 minutes, says NASA, and will be visible to North and South America, Europe, Africa, and parts of West Asia and the eastern Pacific.
Not in the right part of the world or worried about clouds? No worries! There will be a live stream of the event online!
Tune in this Sunday from 8:00 p.m. EDT to check it out! The next one won't be until 2033!
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Science Writer, Fossil Beastmaster
Contact Alex Kasprak at alex.kasprak@buzzfeed.com.
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