How to see the rare supermoon partial eclipse in the UK tonight
We are all in for a treat tonight because there will be a partial eclipse of the supermoon visible across the UK.
The supermoon is expected to rise at 7.15pm this evening and at around 1.15am tomorrow a small shadow created by Earth will appear in the top right corner of the moon as the eclipse starts.
The partial eclipse will then reach its maximum at around 3.44am.
This will be caused by a lighter shadow, called the penumbra.
Supermoons like this happen when the orbit of the moon is at perigee – the closest point to Earth in its orbit, which makes the Moon appear bigger and brighter in the night sky.
During this moment the moon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it is furthest away from Earth.
It is only the second supermoon of this year and two more are expected later in the year.
However cloud could cover some areas this evening which will make it difficult to see but those with clear skies will be able to see it well.
Under the clear skies you will be able to see it without a telescope or binoculars so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Partial lunar eclipses like these don’t happen very often combined with a supermoon and the next one isn’t expected until 2026.
This supermoon this evening is called the harvest moon because it is the closest full moon to the autumn equinox – September 22.
The next supermoons that are expected this year are the October hunter moon and November beaver moon.
Meanwhile full moons are given a name every month linked to aspects of life in the month which they occur.
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