Get ready for a partial lunar eclipse and supermoon, all rolled into one.
The spectacle will be visible in clear skies across North America and South America Tuesday night and in Africa and Europe Wednesday morning.
Advertisement
The partial lunar eclipse will begin in the D-FW area at 7:41 p.m. tonight and will reach its peak at 9:44 p.m. before ending at 10:15 p.m., according to Time and Date. Skies are predicted to be mostly clear, according to KXAS-TV (NBC5)'s weather forecast.
Advertisement
A partial lunar eclipse happens when the Earth passes between the sun and moon, casting a shadow that darkens a sliver of the moon and appears to take a bite out of it.
Breaking News
Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond.
SIGN UP
Or with:
GoogleFacebook
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Since the moon will inch closer to Earth than usual, it'll appear a bit larger in the sky. The supermoon is one of three remaining this year.
"A little bit of the sun's light is being blocked so the moon will be slightly dimmer," said Valerie Rapson, an astronomer at the State University of New York at Oneonta.
Advertisement
The Earth, moon and sun line up to produce a solar or lunar eclipse anywhere from four to seven times a year, according to NASA. This lunar eclipse is the second and final of the year after a slight darkening in March.
In April, a total solar eclipse plunged select cities into darkness across North America.
Advertisement
No special eye protection is needed to view a lunar eclipse. Viewers can stare at the moon with the naked eye or opt for binoculars and telescopes to get a closer look.
Advertisement
To spot the moon's subtle shrinkage over time, hang outside for a few hours or take multiple peeks over the course of the evening, said KaChun Yu, curator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
"From one minute to the next, you might not see much happening," said Yu.
For a more striking lunar sight, skywatchers can set their calendars for March 13. The moon will be totally eclipsed by the Earth's shadow and will be painted red by stray bits of sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere.
Advertisement
The Dallas Morning News contributed to this report.