Northern, Eastern Connecticut Best for Viewing Supermoon Lunar Eclipse

Last Such Event Happened in 1982

The first supermoon lunar eclipse since 1982 will occur this Sunday evening.

First Alert meteorologists have been tracking the potential for clouds in parts of the state this evening, but are more optimistic as of Sunday morning that many parts of Connecticut will experience good viewing conditions.

Low clouds, which would make viewing the moon impossible, will sneak in from the south over portions of Fairfield County this evening. However, most parts of the state should have mainly clear skies during the total eclipse.

Those set on getting an awesome shot of the so-called "blood moon" will have the best chance of doing so in northern and eastern Connecticut. The Hartford area should see the eclipse tonight.

Exact Track Depiction of Increasing Clouds

A total lunar eclipse, by definition, is when the earth blocks all of the sun's direct rays from hitting the moon. Thanks to earth's atmosphere, however, some light reaches the moon and results in an orange- or red-looking moon during a total lunar eclipse.

Lunar Eclipse Diagram
Tyler Jankoski
A total lunar eclipse occurs when all of the sun's direct rays are blocked by the earth.

The supermoon component means the moon is full or new while it makes its closest pass to earth (called perigee). The math shows that a supermoon appears larger than a typical full moon, though it may not be noticeable with a human eye.

This year's lunar eclipse will begin in partial form at 9:07 p.m. when part of the moon will appear dim.

The window of total eclipse falls between 10:11 p.m. and 11:23 p.m. This is when the moon will appear orange or red, if the sky condition permits viewing the moon.

After the total eclipse ends, a partial eclipse will occur again between 11:23 p.m. and 12:12 a.m. Monday morning.

If this weekend's event doesn't provide a great photo opportunity, it will be a few years before the next chance to snap that award-winning photo. The next lunar eclipse that can be seen in eastern North America will happen 2019.

A supermoon and a lunar eclipse, when they happen separately, aren't rare. However, it is rare for the two events to happen simultaneously. According to NASA, after Sunday evening, the combination won't happen again until 2033 – some 18 years from now.

Send photos of tonight's supermoon lunar eclipse to shareit@nbcconnecticut.com!

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