You’ll be able to witness a supermoon in combination with a lunar eclipse. Late on Sept. 27, 2015, in the U.S. and much of the world, a total lunar eclipse will mask the moon’s larger-than-life face for more than an hour.
Report by Paula Antolini
September 20, 2015 9:56AM EDT
NASA: Rare Supermoon Eclipse Will Occur, For First Time in More Than 30 Years, on Sept. 27
NASA Scientist Sheds Light on Rare Sept. 27 Supermoon Eclipse
Late on Sept. 27, 2015, in the U.S. and much of the world, a total lunar eclipse will mask the moon’s larger-than-life face for more than an hour.
But what is this behemoth of the night sky? Not a bird, not a plane, it’s a supermoon! Although this incarnation of the moon comes around only once every year, it’s not as mysterious as you might think.
“Because the orbit of the moon is not a perfect circle, the moon is sometimes closer to the Earth than at other times during its orbit,” said Noah Petro, deputy project scientist for the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “When the moon is farthest away it’s known as apogee, and when it’s closest it’s known as perigee. On Sept. 27, we’re going to have a perigee full moon—the closest full moon of the year.”
At perigee, the moon is about 31,000 miles closer to Earth than at apogee. That distance equates to more than once around the circumference of Earth. Its looming proximity makes the moon appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter in the sky than an apogee full moon, which sparked the term “supermoon.”
“There’s no physical difference in the moon,” Petro said. “It just appears slightly bigger in the sky. It’s not dramatic, but it does look larger.”
A lunar eclipse typically puts on an even greater show. For more than an hour, Earth’s shadow swallows up the moon as the planet comes between the sun and the moon. Lunar eclipses typically occur at least twice a year, and 228 will occur in the 21st century alone. While people such as the Incans and Mesopotamians historically viewed lunar eclipses as random and frightening occurrences, they’re actually quite predictable.
Scientists at Goddard have predicted eclipses a thousand years into the future. Petro said it’s just a matter of knowing where Earth, the sun and the moon are at a given point in time.
As for the supermoon and a lunar eclipse occurring simultaneously, Petro said, “It’s just planetary dynamics. The orbit of the moon around Earth is inclined to the axis of Earth and the orbital plane of all these things just falls into place every once in a while. When the rhythms line up, you might get three to four eclipses in a row or a supermoon and an eclipse happening.”
But the proverbial stars only align for this event once every few decades, making this phenomenon much rarer than a supermoon or a lunar eclipse separately. The last supermoon/lunar eclipse combination occurred in 1982 and the next won’t happen until 2033. “That’s rare because it’s something an entire generation may not have seen,” said Petro.
Above: On the night of Sept. 27, 2015, a supermoon lunar eclipse will be viewable in the night sky for those living in North and South America. Those living in Europe and Africa can view it in the early morning hours of Sept. 28. Credits: NASA/Goddard
Despite its rarity, Petro said the event is not cause for concern. “The only thing that will happen on Earth during an eclipse is that people will wake up the next morning with neck pain because they spent the night looking up,” he said.
The total eclipse will last one hour and 12 minutes, and will be visible to North and South America, Europe, Africa, and parts of West Asia and the eastern Pacific. Viewers can see the supermoon unmasked after nightfall. 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.
Tune in on Sept. 27 for this rare event, taking place right in Earth’s neighborhood.
Despite its rarity, Petro said the event is not cause for concern. “The only thing that will happen on Earth during an eclipse is that people will wake up the next morning with neck pain because they spent the night looking up,” he said.
The total eclipse will last one hour and 12 minutes, and will be visible to North and South America, Europe, Africa, and parts of West Asia and the eastern Pacific. Viewers can see the supermoon unmasked after nightfall. 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.
Tune in on Sept. 27 for this rare event, taking place right in Earth’s neighborhood.
Ashley Morrow
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Hi to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this web page, and your views are good for new viewers.
Hi! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love
reading through your blog and look forward to
all your posts! Keep up the excellent work!
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let
you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.
I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
Nice post. I used to be checking constantly this weblog and I’m impressed!
Very helpful information particularly the remaining section 🙂 I handle such info much.
I used to be looking for this particular info for a very long time.
Thanks and best of luck.
Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information about this topic for a long time and
yours is the greatest I’ve found out till now. However, what
concerning the conclusion? Are you sure in regards to
the supply?
Remarkable! Its in fact amazing post, I have got much clear
idea about from this post.
I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering issues with your website.
It appears as if some of the written text in your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as
well? This may be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Thanks
I really love your blog.. Great colors & theme.
Did you develop this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my very own site and would like to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is named.
Many thanks!
Hi, its nice article on the topic of media print,
we all know media is a enormous source of data.
What’s up, I log on to your blogs daily.
Your humoristic style is awesome, keep up the good
work!
I’m not sure why but this website is loading incredibly
slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it
a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and
see if the problem still exists.
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of
your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for. Do you
offer guest writers to write content for yourself? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on a lot of the
subjects you write about here. Again, awesome web log!
Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site thus i came to go back the want?.I’m attempting to to find issues to enhance my
web site!I assume its ok to make use of a few of your
ideas!!
Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using?
Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
I’m really impressed together with your writing talents as well as with the structure on your weblog.
Is that this a paid subject or did you modify it your self?
Either way stay up the excellent quality writing, it’s
uncommon to peer a nice weblog like this one today..
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you
penning this article plus the rest of the website is extremely good.
It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this excellent blog!
I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS
feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
Chat soon!
Excellent post. I will be dealing with a few of these
issues as well..
Fantastic blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform
like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally overwhelmed ..
Any ideas? Kudos!
I savour, result in I found exactly what I
was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Very nice write-up. I certainly appreciate this website.
Continue the good work!
Wow, this post is fastidious, my sister is analyzing such
things, thus I am going to inform her.
Right now it looks like BlogEngine is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are
using on your blog?
Hello, I do think your website might be having internet browser compatibility problems.
When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it’s
got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you
a quick heads up! Besides that, fantastic site!
Hi there! Quick question that’s entirely off topic.
Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My site looks weird when browsing from my apple iphone.
I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to
fix this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share.
With thanks!
Wonderful blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any discussion boards that cover the same topics discussed in this article?
I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get suggestions from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Bless you!
Thank you for another great article. Where else may just anybody
get that kind of information in such a perfect method of writing?
I have a presentation subsequent week, and I am at the look for such information.
It’s really very complicated in this busy life to listen news
on Television, therefore I only use internet for that purpose, and get the newest information.
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break.
I really like the info you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get
home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, superb site!
Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
If you know of any please share. Thank you!
I visited multiple websites except the audio feature for audio
songs existing at this site is actually wonderful.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and
entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
The problem is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for
something relating to this.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this
topic to be actually something that I think I would never
understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for
me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in truth was once a
leisure account it. Look complicated to more brought agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we be in contact?
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say
that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog
posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I
hope you write again very soon!
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into
starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get setup?
I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty
penny? I’m not very web savvy so I’m not 100% certain. Any recommendations or advice
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your site is very useful.
Thank you for sharing!
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day.
It will always be interesting to read through articles from other writers and
use something from their websites.
Good information. Lucky me I came across your site by
accident (stumbleupon). I’ve book marked it for later!
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re
just too fantastic. I really like what you have
acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it.
You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensible.
I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful web site.
Good day I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by error,
while I was browsing on Aol for something else, Anyways I am here now and
would just like to say cheers for a fantastic post and a all round
exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through
it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS
feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more,
Please do keep up the fantastic b.
Greetings I am so thrilled I found your site, I really found
you by mistake, while I was researching on Yahoo for something
else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for
a fantastic post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
have time to read through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it
and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have
time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep
up the fantastic job.
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something that
I think I would never understand. It seems
too complex and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for
your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
I feel this is one of the such a lot vital info for me.
And i am glad studying your article. However wanna statement on few general issues,
The web site taste is great, the articles is
really nice : D. Good task, cheers
hello!,I like your writing very a lot! share we be in contact extra approximately your article on AOL?
I require an expert on this house to resolve my problem. May be that is you!
Taking a look forward to peer you.
Hello! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest
authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you happen to be interested feel free to shoot
me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Great
blog by the way!
Thanks very nice blog!
Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your publish is
just nice and that i can assume you are a professional on this subject.
Fine with your permission allow me to take hold of your RSS feed to stay updated with impending post.
Thanks one million and please carry on the gratifying work.
Hi, i feel that i saw you visited my website so i came to go
back the desire?.I am trying to find issues to improve my
site!I assume its ok to use some of your ideas!!
These are actually wonderful ideas in about blogging. You have
touched some pleasant points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This article posted at this site is really good.
Ahaa, its good discussion about this post at this place at this website, I have read all that,
so now me also commenting here.
Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank
for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
If you know of any please share. Cheers!
Helpful information. Lucky me I found your site
unintentionally, and I’m stunned why this accident did not happened
in advance! I bookmarked it.
all the time i used to read smaller posts that as well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article which
I am reading at this time.
What’s up Dear, are you truly visiting this
web page regularly, if so afterward you will without
doubt get good knowledge.
Wow, this article is good, my younger sister is analyzing
these things, so I am going to convey her.
Oh my goodness! Incredible article dude! Thank you so much, However I am having troubles
with your RSS. I don’t understand why I can’t subscribe to
it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!