Look To The Texas Sky Tonight, This Won’t Happen Again Until 2033

Super Moon

A super moon is a full moon that takes place when the moon is at its closest orbit to Earth. It happens 3-4 times a year.

Harvest Moon

A harvest moon is the annual September full moon that occurs near the start of the autumnal equinox (fall). It's traditionally meant to be an indicator of the last of the summer harvest of crops before switching to fall planting.

Blood Moon (Eclipse)

A blood moon is the term given to the reddish color given to our view of the moon when a partial or total lunar eclipse takes place. This usually takes place 2-3 times per year.

Going for the Trifecta

How about a super moon that happens just before autumn (harvest moon) starts and takes place during a partial lunar eclipse? That is a rarity that will take place tonight (Tuesday, September 17).

The next combination of a supermoon and lunar eclipse will not occur again until October 8, 2033.

Viewing This Astronomical Rarity

The best time to view this rare lunar combination will be after 9 p.m. tonight, with the peak viewing of the partial eclipse at around 9:45.

Only a sliver of the top of the moon will be totally obscured. The remainder of the visible moon should have a reddish-brown tint to it which is why the moon during a partial to total lunar eclipse is referred to as a blood moon.

The National Weather Service is forecasting mostly clear skies tonight over East Texas, so the viewing for this rare trifecta of events should be optimal.