Exceptionally Rare Supermoon Eclipse to Occur Sunday, September 27, 2015

Stargazers, get ready, because Sunday night, September 27, 2015 is going to feature an exceptionally rare lunar event: a supermoon eclipse.

Supermoons occur once a year, and are seen as notably brighter and larger than regular. A supermoon is already an event of note to anyone interested in watching the skies at night, but this supermoon is going to be a blood moon, as well, making the event much more significant.

“Blood moon,” is simply another name for a total lunar eclipse. Total lunar eclipses are relatively rare in their own right, with only one in three eclipses usually being total. Sunday’s eclipse is the fourth total lunar eclipse in a row, an event scientifically known as a “lunar tetrad.” Lunar tetrads vary in their rarity, with their being instances where centuries can pass without a tetrad occurring, while other centuries can see several.

The significance of Sunday’s supermoon eclipse goes on: this eclipse is also on a harvest moon, the first full moon of a season (Autumn, as we just passed the Autumnal Equinox). Beyond this, the September 27 eclipse will also be the fourth and last eclipse of the year, which is the bare minimum we can get. Last, and most certainly not least, this exceptional eclipse will be totally visible from North America.

Tennesseeans can look forward to this event starting around 8p.m. (as a partial eclipse), with the total coverage happening in the 10p.m. Hour. The eclipse is predicted to last approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes, and, weather permitting, should be clearly visible. If you have even a passing interest in stargazing, or have children who you’d like to have watch with you, be sure to catch this event in its entirety. The next supermoon eclipse (not to mention supermoon total eclipse that is a lunar tetrad, harvest moon, and visible from North America) will not happen for another 18 years, on October 8, 2033, and will be the last total eclipse of any kind visible from North America until 2018. As the evening goes on, be sure to keep your eyes to the sky!