A full moon on Tuesday will coincide with a partial lunar eclipse, giving people in North America, South America, Africa and Europe a chance to see part of the moon’s surface obscured by Earth’s shadow.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs as Earth passes between the moon and the sun, creating a celestial alignment that blocks sunlight from hitting the lunar surface.
It will also be a supermoon, because the moon will be at its closest point to Earth in its elliptical, 27-day orbit.
After the peak of the eclipse, the moon will begin exiting Earth’s shadow, ending early Wednesday at around 12:47 a.m.
Unlike with solar eclipses, there’s no need to wear protective eyewear when watching a lunar eclipse and it can be viewed safely with the naked eye.
Organizations:
Northern, NASA
Locations:
North America, South America, Africa, Europe