OOn Tuesday evening, stargazers in North America, South America, Europe and Africa will be treated to three simultaneous celestial events: a full moon, a blood moon and a supermoon.
For all three events to occur simultaneously is “pretty rare,” Teresa Monsue, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, told NPR.
Here’s everything you need to know about the celestial trifecta and how to watch it in the US
Read more: These are all different types of eclipses
What is a harvest moon?
The Harvest Moon appears around the autumn equinox. Its name comes from the time when its brightness helped farmers harvest their crops at the end of the season, according to the almanac. What makes this moment special is that the moon’s orbit and Earth’s horizon are positioned in such a way that the moon appears to rise above the horizon much faster than usual. Viewing it right after sunset, when the moon is closest to the horizon, creates an optical illusion that makes the Harvest Moon appear larger than usual. This effect is further enhanced by the fact that the Harvest Moon also coincides with a supermoon on Tuesday night.
What is a supermoon?
Supermoons occur when the moon is full and closest to Earth, making it appear larger than usual. Supermoons occur three to four times a year because the moon’s orbit and distance from Earth change with each new cycle.
What is a blood moon?
During a lunar eclipse, the Earth’s shadow partially blocks sunlight and prevents it from reaching the moon, giving it a reddish color often referred to as a blood moon. On Tuesday night, stargazers will be able to see not only the features of a full moon and supermoon, but also an unusual red color of the moon due to a partial lunar eclipse occurring at the same time.
Where and when can I see the Harvest Blood Supermoon?
It helps to observe from a location where the skies are clear. You can find that out by checking your local weather app. The Midwest, South and Southern Plains of the U.S. are expected to see relatively clear skies Tuesday night, according to the Washington post. West coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco can also expect relatively clear skies. Things could get more difficult on the east coast, however. Cloudier clouds are forecast for cities like Boston and Washington, DC, making it harder to see the event.
The partial lunar eclipse will begin at 8:41 p.m. ET and reach its peak at 10:44 p.m., according to NASA, but observers may be able to notice part of the moon completely in shadow as early as 10:13 p.m.
When is the next Harvest Blood supermoon?
The next Harvest Blood supermoon combination will occur in the fall of 2033, according to public radio program EarthDate. Although it’s still a while away, the 2033 moon will be even rarer, as it will also bring with it a full lunar eclipse rather than a partial one.
The next full supermoon will be visible on October 17, 2024, according to NASA, and the next lunar eclipse will occur on March 14, 2025.
