September 24, 2015 - 11:30 AM
KAMLOOPS - Not only will the last total lunar eclipse until January 2019 take place Sunday evening, it will also be a harvest, or super, moon, meaning it will appear to be a very large red moon for part of the evening.
The moon will completely pass through the Earth’s shadow Sunday evening, Sept. 27, with the the total eclipse beginning around 7:11 p.m. As that happens the moon will get darker before taking on a rusty or blood red colour. The moon will begin to leave the shadow just under an hour later and will completely move out of the shadow by about 9:30 p.m.
This eclipse is also taking place while the moon is at its closest point to Earth, which will make it appear larger than usual.
According to NASA super moon lunar eclipse has only happened five times since 1900, the last time it happend was in 1982. The next opportunity to see a super moon lunar eclipse will be in 2033. The next total lunar eclipse will not take place until Jan. 20, 2019.
If you are in Kamloops swing by Thompson Rivers University Sunday evening for an open house and viewing session with the Kamloops Astronomical Society. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 27. The society will be showing a live webcast as the eclipse progresses and there will be a presentation before everyone heads up to the observatory to view the moon. The event will take place in the International Building, room IB 1020.
NASA will also be providing a live streaming video of the event.
Environment Canada is currently calling for clear skies through the region Sunday evening, meaning not only will it be ideal viewing conditions, but you may be able to try your hand at grabbing some photos while you’re out.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015