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How to Watch Tonight’s Rare Harvest Blood Supermoon
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How to Watch Tonight’s Rare Harvest Blood Supermoon

OOn Tuesday evening, stargazers in North America, South America, Europe and Africa can enjoy three celestial events happening simultaneously: the harvest moon, a blood moon and a supermoon.

Having all three events happen at the same time is “pretty rare,” Teresa Monsue, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, told NPR.

Here’s what you need to know about the celestial trifecta and how to watch it in the US

Read more: These are all the different types of eclipses

What is a Harvest Moon?

The Harvest Moon appears around the autumnal equinox. According to the almanac, its name comes from the time when its brightness is said to help farmers harvest their crops at the end of the season. What makes this time special is that the moon’s orbit and the Earth’s horizon are aligned so that the moon appears to rise above the horizon much faster than normal. When viewed right after sunset, when the moon is closest to the horizon, it creates an optical illusion that makes the Harvest Moon appear larger than normal. This effect is further enhanced by the fact that Tuesday night’s Harvest Moon also coincides with a supermoon.

What is a supermoon?

Supermoons occur when the moon is both full and closest to Earth, causing the moon to appear larger than normal. Supermoons occur three to four times a year, as 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 the sunlight from reaching the moon, giving it a reddish appearance often called a blood moon. On Tuesday night, in addition to the characteristics of a harvest moon and super moon, stargazers can also expect the moon to have an unusual red color due to a partial lunar eclipse occurring at the same time.

Where and when can I see the Harvest Blood Supermoon?

It’s helpful to watch from a spot where the sky is clear, which you can find by checking your local weather app. The Midwest, South and Southern Plains of the U.S. are expected to be relatively clear Tuesday night, according to the Washington After. Cities on the West Coast, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, can also expect relatively clear skies. However, the East Coast may have a trickier time. Cities like Boston and Washington, DC may have cloudier forecasts, making it harder to see the event.

According to NASA, the partial lunar eclipse will begin at 8:41 p.m. ET and peak at 10:44 p.m. ET, but viewers may be able to see part of the moon become fully shadowed as early as 10:13 p.m. ET.

When is the next Harvest Blood Supermoon?

The next Harvest-Blood-Supermoon conjunction will occur in the fall of 2033, according to the public radio program EarthDate. While it’s still a while away, the 2033 moon will be even rarer because it will also feature a total lunar eclipse instead of a partial one.

According to NASA, the next full supermoon will be visible on October 17, 2024, and the next lunar eclipse will be on March 14, 2025.